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Richmond’s dream of an AFL premiership hat-trick is in tatters – but coach Damien Hardwick is bullish about the power club’s chances of bouncing back into contention next season.
Only a highly unlikely series of results going their way can keep the Tigers in the hunt in 2021, following Friday night’s comprehensive 39-point defeat to GWS.
It was the Tigers’ seventh loss in their last nine games, killing off any realistic hopes of a top-eight berth.
The sobering scenario comes at the back end of a campaign when Richmond have struggled to cope with a weight of injuries to senior players, including superstar Dustin Martin, who had his season cut short by a lacerated kidney.
The Tigers have also had their collective hunger questioned after enjoying a period of sustained success, claiming three flags in a golden run over the previous four years.
(Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
But with a strong senior core and talented wave of youngsters coming through, as well as a solid draft hand, Hardwick is confident Richmond can rebound quickly.
Without finals to play, they will also have the benefit of a longer off-season for the first time in five years.
“When we have a good pre-season, I think we’ll be a hell of a lot better,” Hardwick said after the loss to GWS.
“It’s been a tough road; three out of the last four years we’ve been deep in September and this year’s been as hard as it’s ever been.
“Whoever wins it this year is going to have an enormous tick beside their name.
“But if our guys do refresh, we regenerate a couple of things and get some young talent in, invest in the talent we’ve already got, I think we’ll be reasonably placed to have another crack.”
Veteran defender Bachar Houli is out of contract and keen to play on next season but is no certainty to be offered a new deal.
Richmond will have to refresh their list to some extent and Hardwick refused to be drawn on the 33-year-old triple premiership star’s future.
“He’s a very good player, he’s been a fantastic player for us and we’ll continue to work through with Bachar and his management what that looks like for next year,” Hardwick said.
As it stands, the Tigers have picks 12, 15, 22, 31, 45 and 49 in the national draft.
© AAP
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