As his predecessor sat again on the sofa, beer in hand and canine by his aspect, Andrew McQualter started life within the Richmond scorching seat with a way more frenzied expertise.
The 36-year-old caretaker coach described his first match in cost – a 10-point defeat to Port Adelaide on Sunday – pretty much as good enjoyable.
But he certified that evaluation by conceding, with amusing, that an prolonged stint on the helm may take a toll.
“If I do it for too long I won’t keep this thick, luscious hair that I’ve currently got,” McQualter stated.
“That might get challenged, but it was good fun.”
Richmond threatened to finish the Power’s profitable streak as Tim Taranto tried his greatest to pull them over the road.
The gun midfielder kicked 4 targets – was denied a fifth by a fingernail on the road – and gathered game-high tallies of 33 disposals and 7 clearances.
Taranto’s third main bought the Tigers inside two factors early within the remaining quarter earlier than Port steadied late within the match.
“Not a bad player, Tim, is he? He’s been unbelievably consistent for us this year,” McQualter stated.
“He’s an ultra competitor, every week he gives his all and we love him for it. It was another great game from him.”
McQualter was additionally pleased with his group as a complete.
“It has been a tough week, an emotional week for the club,” he stated.
“Dimma (Hardwick) has been such an influence on so many people at the club’s lives and it was a challenging few days.
“Nobody noticed it coming however as soon as we bought again to work on Wednesday, our leaders of our membership had been wonderful.
“We understand that the club has a purpose and we’ve got to keep moving forward.”
Hours earlier than the primary bounce, Hardwick posted a photograph of himself to social media, together with his Richmond teaching jacket on and ft up on the espresso desk.
He had a beer bottle raised in a single hand, although McQualter wasn’t satisfied many had been consumed.
“Knowing Dimma, one and then he went to sleep,” he laughed.
“But I saw that photo, it’s great. I hope he enjoyed watching the game.”
McQualter, a long-time assistant to Hardwick and former St Kilda and Gold Coast participant, is but to publicly declare his curiosity in taking up the full-time Richmond teaching job.
“I loved today, I loved the week, I love the opportunity I’ve been given and I think I’m just going to put my head down and do what I have to do for the club right now,” McQualter stated.
“Week to week I’ll prepare our players to play a game of footy, and that’s along with our assistant coaching group.
“That might be my focus.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
