Caretaker Richmond coach Andrew McQualter has revealed the “emotional” name he had with Damien Hardwick and the “sadness” the membership labored by earlier than getting ready to take management of the Tigers for the remainder of 2023.
McQualter mentioned he had not “given a single thought” to the potential of throwing his hat within the ring to be Hardwick’s everlasting substitute after the triple-premiership coach’s shock resolution to finish his 13 years in cost.
After what he referred to as a “crazy 48 hours” which included a cellphone name from Hardwick, his mentor for almost a decade, final Sunday after which one other to tell him he’d be within the hot-seat, McQualter mentioned he had no alternative however to get to work forward of Sunday’s conflict with Port Adelaide.
“It was a crazy 48 hours; I really didn’t find anything out until late Sunday afternoon or evening,” McQualter mentioned on Friday.
“He just called me to tell me that he was stepping down … It was pretty emotional phone call, to be honest. I’ve spent 10 years with him, so it was tough.
“That’s the best and worst things about footy clubs, they move on so quickly. So we spent all Monday just dealing with the sadness, in a way, and the emotion.
“Then on Tuesday we had to get to work; we have been able to move forward, quite quickly.”
McQualter mentioned it was a “bittersweet” approach to take over, however that the senior gamers had guided their teammates to a spot the place they might be targeted on soccer once more.
“I think the energy from the group has been outstanding,” he mentioned.
“We’re really fortunate to have a great group of leaders and players and I guess in a way, I’ve had relationships with these guys, particularly the older ones, for 10 years.
“So they’ve been incredibly supportive of me and the program and we’re just looking forward to getting to work.”
McQualter, who performed with among the gamers he’s now teaching, was adamant all of them nonetheless shared a robust perception success was simply across the nook, regardless of slipping to 14th on the ladder, with simply three wins this season, after final Saturday’s one-point loss to Essendon.
It was a perception which he mentioned was key in his cause for knocking again a proposal to affix Ross Lyon when he was appointed St Kilda coach late final 12 months.
“I’ve just spent so much time at this footy club; I love the players and thought we still had a great chance of being really competitive, which I still believe,” he mentioned.
“It’s pretty clear we still have belief in the way we play.”
Originally revealed as Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter reveals when he heard the news
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
