Damien Hardwick has declared Richmond star Tom Lynch a certainty to return from injury in an AFL semi-final that he expects to be played at Metricon Stadium.
The Tigers’ coach made clear his preference for a home final on the Gold Coast after his side’s premiership defence was dealt a significant blow in a 15-point qualifying final defeat to Brisbane.
He said the 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (54) loss at the Gabba will be treated as a “gift” despite Richmond being relegated to a do-or-die meeting with St Kilda or the Western Bulldogs.
The difficult path to a grand final is an unfamiliar one for the Tigers, who advanced directly to the preliminary final stage in each of the past three seasons.
“For us it’s all about the growth that we take out of the game,” Hardwick said.
“A lot of things that we did tonight were areas that we can certainly improve.
“We’ll go to school on that and there’s a couple of things that we’ll take out of the game that will certainly get us better for next week’s opponent.
“We don’t really care who we play, we’re just looking forward to getting back out and playing a hell of a lot better than we did tonight.”
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Hardwick lamented the Tigers’ ill discipline in giving away a string of free kicks and 50-metre penalties during the latter stages of the second term, allowing Brisbane to take control of the contest with three quick goals.
He also bemoaned the umpires “trigger happy” approach as Richmond lost the free kick count 17-11.
“The players know, they understand. The situation is it’s a volatile game and players will get angry,” Hardwick said.
“I think at the end of the day the game is umpired in a certain way.
“It’s a final, let them play. It’s for the players to play.”
Hardwick apologised for a pre-match blunder when he forgot to join his players on the field for the welcome to country ceremony.
He raced across the field moments just moments before the national anthem to stand in the line-up.
“I just completely forgot,” Hardwick said.
“It was a mad dash down and I got there in the end.
“It was disappointing I stuffed that up. It probably sums up our night.”
Angela
Roar Rookie
'Don’t forget where this great sport originated from, Victoria!' Not likely to - you lot bang on about it enough. Not sure why you ever let it out of the Gulag, you'd have more fun playing among yourselves.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Clearly an anti Victorian there Angela, and narrow minded! Don’t forget where this great sport originated from, Victoria! Perhaps you should go follow the NRL instead! Hopefully the lions forget to show up in a couple of weeks haha :thumbup:
Graeme
Guest
Hardwick and Serena Williams have one thing in common being great winners but very bad losers. I am not a Collingwood fan but admire Pendlebury as a player and role model on how to behave win, lose or draw.
sven
Roar Rookie
yeah with that logic perhaps wc & port should request their respective games to be at the gabbatoir too
Brian
Guest
Tigers complaining about umpiring really. How quickly the preferential treatment they got in the 2017GF when they had the home crowd is forgotten
TomC
Roar Guru
I should clarify that I like Hardwick a lot and I think it was just because his blood was up at half time that he made the comments.
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
They need a game close to their base. More time to be licking their wounds. Kinda like the fans are doing atm
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Men have fewer lines, but they're deeper
Sir Luttinen
Roar Rookie
Good skin is a blessing, moisturizer was available or at the very least sorbolene but bitterness and lies are cursed by father time
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
That short period before half time, the umps missed about 1/2 doz frees that Richmond gave away. It seemed to me they were giving Richmond plenty of leeway. Then Richmond lost the plot and gave away a 100m. Probably should look in his own back yard.
Angela
Roar Rookie
'Caroline the wrinkles Wilson' You don't have wrinkles? Perhaps if you're a bloke they're called character lines.
TomC
Roar Guru
I just finished watching the replay. I don’t agree at all with Hardwick that the umpires didn’t let the players play. We’ve become too tolerant of coaches whining about umpiring. Sometimes the umpires have a great game but will still cop a whack from a disgruntled coach.
Scott
Guest
I woulda thought they would want it at the GABBA with the grand final being played there?
Stix
Guest
Very true who doesn't like a good attitude. Sadly the coaches that have won the most recently complain the most. Damien Hardsook and Karen Clarkson.
Luke
Guest
The top 4 need to win 3 in a row, the teams that came 5-8 must win 4 in a row to grab the premiership.
Sir Luttinen
Roar Rookie
As we know Dr no team has been more problematic than wce, Damien Barret, Matty Lloyd, Gerard whately, Caroline the wrinkles Wilson, hutchy etc etc have said so, pretty sure Mr docker himself mark Duffield pontificated about simmo at some point.
Angela
Roar Rookie
The whinging coach...always bemoaning something or other even when his team wins. Chris Fagan is a joy. May the force be with the Lions. Or Port. Or West Coast. ABAVT in this year of a GF outside the gulag.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Imagine that ? Hardwick wants a final where his side is undefeated all season only 500 metres from his team's hotel. Who does he think he is? Adam Simpson?
Stix
Guest
'Tigers want Gold Coast final' How about Tigers want Martin to stop turning the ball over at a record pace. Dusty is a turnover machine - 18 disposals - 7 clangers. Leads the league yet again (75 from 17 games) and last night the commentators just go silent like it never happened (as usual), they were however praising him non-stop when he dominated in the first half when no Brisbane player went near him. Not much has changed for Richmond and Geelong. They need to win 3 games in the row to win the flag same as this week. Every team that wins the flag wins 3 in a row so its not that big a deal if losing the first week.