– Lachie Young
Ann emotional Josh Caddy has paid tribute to Richmond coach Damien Hardwick for backing him to play a role in the team’s push for a second premiership in three years.
The off-season arrival of gun recruit Tom Lynch combined with a new role for champion teammate Dustin Martin forced Caddy out of the attacking set up at the Tigers throughout 2019, and for a while he found himself playing in the VFL.
But the former Cat and Gold Coast forward fought back tears as he revealed a frank discussion with the Richmond coach during the year paved the way for his move to the wing, where he ultimately repaid the faith that Hardwick had shown in him.
“I faced a little bit of personal adversity this year and I had to change my role with Lynchy coming in and Jack and Dusty spending a lot of time forward,” Caddy said.
“But I have absolutely loved it and Dimma, I can’t thank him enough for backing me in. He said to me, ‘Mate, I want you in the side but it is not as a forward any more, we are going to put you on the wing’ and he has always backed me ever since I came to the club.
“I get a little bit emotional talking about Dimma because he is just an amazing man and I am forever thankful for him.
“He said to me, ‘We have got Jack, Dusty and Lynchy in the forward line and we need a few smalls’ and unfortunately I am not a little small fast fella, and they are three pretty good players, so I was the one who had to change things up.
“So he put me up on the wing in the second half of the year and I am so grateful that he backed me.”
The Grand Final victory was the ultimate birthday present for Caddy, who turned 27 as he celebrated his second premiership since arriving at Punt Rd.
