AFL Grand Final: Richmond annihilate GWS Giants to win 2019 premiership
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and dual Norm Smith Medallist Dustin Martin have revealed the players and coaches doubted whether they could win the premiership this year as they faced a number of challenges.
There had been presents to his players - apparel, vinyl records, hockey pucks and movies - and letters from each Tiger to their parents and back again as the connection grew at Punt Road, on Saturday culminating in a second flag in just three years and an after-dark conga line on the MCG with the cup.
And it was an element that could not be matched, Hardwick said.
“I think most kids come in really, really talented,” he said.
“There’s no doubt about it. They’re drafted from the under 18s, they’re highly talented, highly skilled.
Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin enjoy the spoils of another Richmond premiership. Picture: Michael Klein.
“The one thing I think people crave is human connection. I think it’s the one thing within human society that we’re probably missing. We’ve got a lot of friends on Facebook, but we probably don’t have many friends (in real life). That’s something our club really invests heavily in.
“It’s special. I was talking to the players today about what it looks like for me sitting at the front – they’ve got arms on each other, hands on laps.
“It’s who they are and it’s an incredible thing that they’ve got that’s hard to replicate. They’re a special bunch of lads, really.”
At the turn of the season, Richmond was 7-6 and sat outside the top eight.
There had been doubt, both among the coaches and players, Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin admitted, with key players in Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin sidelined for significant portions of the season.
“We knew if we hung tough, we were going to get our top-end talent back,” Hardwick said.
“But it takes some time for those guys to jell with the new players we’ve got into the side. We’re very lucky – we’ve got a bunch of guys that are heavily connected and invested in each other a lot, so it makes my job a hell of a lot easier.
“The way these players love each other and continue to challenge each other is incredible. As a coach, I’ve got a relatively easy job with this bunch of lads. Thank god.”
He also revealed that the club had drawn inspiration from abroad at a preseason camp in its pursuit of an AFL dynasty, which it could now be argued is in swing.
Dustin Martin dumps Gatorade over two-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: Michael Klein.
“We went through a bit of a journey about, listen, sides can still have dynasties but they might lose one along the way,” Hardwick explained.
“We looked at examples – San Antonio Spurs, the Detroit Redwings and those sort of sides where they’d been a really good side but had a bad day. And we spoke about the fact that if we just concentrate on and continue to focus on what we can control and what we do and have faith in that, we’ll be OK.
“It’s easy to sit here in hindsight and say it was, but I think we had absolute belief that we could get back and play to the very best of our ability.”
It marks an incredible turn of events since the end of the 2016, which drew to a close 1092 days before Saturday's triumph.
At the end of that season, Richmond finished 13th on the ladder with just eight wins.
Speculation had swirled on Hardwick’s future and the club’s board held off an attempted challenge.
But Hardwick said the difficult period had only laid the foundation for the three years that followed – two premierships and a preliminary final.
“It’s funny – you certainly learn the mot about yourself and your organization in its darkest times,” Hardwick said.
“You sit back and look at Peggy (O’Neal, club president) and Brendon (Gale, chief executive) and the faith they had in me and the football department – it was incredible.
“The reality is, without 2016 we wouldn’t be sitting here as dual premiership people.”
The victorious Tigers of 2019.
Follow all the reaction in the blog below
Updates
Cotchin says thanks after second flag
Tim Michell
Chris Cavanagh reports…
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has paid tribute to those who support his team and his “blood brothers” who delivered the goods in a Grand Final once again.
Speaking at Richmond’s post-match function, Cotchin pointed to the premiership cup on stage and said, “How good is that?” to a resounding applause.
The dual-premiership skipper said he was immensely proud of his team and had been emotional watching on post-game.
“I refer to the boys as blood brothers and that’s exactly what we are,” Cotchin said.
“Having done it before, I don’t want to sound like a wanker, but I sort of just hung back and watched everyone celebrate and enjoy the lap of honour and I was quite emotional after the game. It’s been a big year but it’s been a big year but a big four weeks and it opened up the love I have for the people in this room but also behind me is pretty incredible.”
Cotchin also recognised those players who played in Richmond’s VFL premiership a week earlier and said he felt for the “hardluck stories” of Grand Final week, with AFL emergencies Jack Ross and Kamdyn McIntosh among those to play in neither win.
“I’m just so proud of both of our teams. It’s been an incredible week,” Cotchin said.
“There’s been some hard-luck stories that we take our hats off to. Just the love that I have personally for our group but for our football club is very special and something that I’m very grateful for.”
Cotchin said the off-field support had been critical to the Tigers winning their second premiership in three years, backing up their 2017 win.
“We get the amazing opportunity to go out and play for something as amazing as that,” Cotchin said.
“You guys are effectively the heart and the blood that pumps around us when we are out there and without you guys there is no way that we’d ever be able to do what we do.
“Everyone has a role to play, whether it be on-field, off-field, family, friends, just the love and care you all give us makes us better people and we’re all incredibly grateful for that.”
Glenn McFarlane
Trent Cotchin's kids only met Marlion Pickett's kids for the first time on Grand Final eve, but the Richmond captain could sense an instant connection. By the time Cotchin's daughters – Harper, 4, and Mackenzie, 3 – were running around with Pickett's four children – Marlion Jr, 9, Latrelle, 7, Shaniqua, 4 and Levi, 4 – in the yellow and black ticker-tape on the MCG in the afterglow of Richmond's 12th VFL-AFL premiership, it looked as if they had formed a bond for life. Cotchin's son, Parker, who was born in July, will be too young to remember what happened. The same could be said for Jack Riewoldt's daughter, Poppy, who was born in March, but both relatively new arrivals were a part of the celebrations after the game and into the night. Bachar Houli's two daughters – Sarah, 5, and Maryam, 2 – weren't far away, and have known Cotchin's children for most of their lives, spending plenty of time both yesterday and throughout the football season in the club's game-day creche. That family feel, whether it is the young or the old, the kids or the parents, is something the Richmond Football Club takes seriously.
Ask any of the parents and family members in the victorious rooms after the Tigers' 89-point Grand Final victory over Greater Western Sydney, and they will tell you that this connection has played a massive room in the club's extraordinary two premierships across the past three seasons. "Yesterday was the first day that my kids have actually Marlion's kids and they just stuck like glue," Cotchin said last night in the MCG rooms. "They know what it means to be a part of the family. It is just so special. "Ever since 'Dimma' has been at the footy club, he said 'We are a family club' and once you start having kids yourself, that's when it becomes more special. "The kids probably don't have any idea of what is going on. "My kids have been asking me for about 10 weeks when I am bringing the premiership cup home. "I am just so grateful that our boys (the players) are so accepting and welcoming of the kids." Marlion Pickett's father Thomas – who is a reluctant flyer but made the trip across from Perth on Friday to see his son make an extraordinary debut on football's biggest stage – said Richmond had been an incredible support to his son and his family in a relatively short time. "It's all about family mate, the kids had a great day," Thomas Pickett said. His wife, Angela, said: "The club is so good … they have been so good for the family."
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said Hardwick, who has coached the club for a decade now, always pushed the family-first aspect and the players had bought into the feeling. "It is something Damien has always encouraged … his parents are always here and his wife Danielle is always here," Gale said. "The boys are maturing now, and they are starting their own families. "When you start having your own kids, you develop a real sense of perspective. It's not all about footy and it is not all about the outcome. Tom Lynch's father, Peter, said he always knew the Tigers would be a family first club, but has been so appreciative of bringing his entire family into the fold. "They live and breath family," Peter Lynch said. There were more than 100 member of Houli's family in attendance yesterday, including his brother, Dr Nezor Houli, who swelled with pride in the rooms. "I'm so proud of him, he is tired tonight, but he's very happy," Dr Houli said.
Caddy's huge admiration for Hardwick
Tim Michell
Gilbert Gardiner
Richmond star Josh Caddy choked up just saying Damien Hardwick's name.
Such is the admiration the 27 year-old has for Richmond's premiership mastermind.
It hasn't been without "adversity", however, as an emotional Caddy last night opened up about a frank mid-season talk with Hardwick.
"He just said to me 'mate, we've got Jack (Riewoldt), Dusty (Martin) and (Tom) Lynch playing in the forward line and we obviously need a few smalls,” Caddy said.
“Unfortunately I'm not a little small, fast fella, that's three pretty good players so I was the one that had to change things up.
"He's always backed me, ever since I got to the club, I get a little bit emotional talking about Dimma because he's an amazing man and I'm forever thankful for him."
Caddy moved to the wing in the second half of the year where he cemented a spot in Hardwick's best 22 after being squeezed out of the forward mix.
The former big-bodied former Gold Coast Suns and Geelong goalkicker thrived on the big stage, finishing with 19 disposals, eight marks and six tackles.
Caddy was reunited with Lynch this season after being drafted together by Gold Coast Suns in 2010.
The 27 year-old, who like Lynch, toasted a premiership in his first season (2017) at Punt Road, praised the spearhead's influence at on the Tigers' success.
"(He'd) never played in a final before this year and to get a premiership medal I'm sure he's just pinching himself a little bit, I don't think we could have done it this year without him," Caddy said.
"When we were missing Jack and had injuries, he was copping a little bit in the media, you guys were getting into him saying he was a liability… he was holding the fort… and he deserves everything he gets."
A mounting and well-documented Tigers’ injury toll only fuelled the club’s drive to silence the critics.
“I think 2017 was just an amazing year with Richmond being starved of success for so long,” Caddy said.
“This year is different, we faced a lot of adversity and went into the bye 7-6, lost three on the trot, probably a fair bit of doubt was creeping into everyone's mind but we just stuck together and stuck fat and didn't lose a game after that, it's amazing.”
Dual premiership player Kane Lambert believes his story is proof state-league players should never give up on their dream of AFL success.
Lambert spent a year working in a Preston can factory while he attempted to show AFL recruiters that he was good enough to play senior football.
Finally the Tigers took him from under the nose of Carlton, where he had at one stage played with the Blues VFL affiliate, and they have seen him become a genuine AFL star.
After a typically effective 20-disposal performance he said he was living a dream.
“If you put your mind to being the absolute best you can and not put your career in the hands of over people, then take control. I am so happy to be here.
“Of course there were times (when I didn’t think I would make it) but you get knocked back so many times. I just wanted to be the best player I could be and if that means someone would eventually give me a chance, I would take it with both hands.
“This footy club means a lot for me. I live for the moments, the daily stuff. I love this footy club and premierships or not I am so fortunate to be here. I am so grateful.”
Lambert was part of a Tigers midfield that obliterated the highly-fancied GWS onball brigade, with the remarkably consistent midfielder again proving himself on the big stage.
After two top-three best-and-fairest finishes in the past two years he will again feature prominently in the top ten of the Jack Dyer Medal this year.
And he will be an inspiration to the state-league stars who are losing hope, believing their chance at AFL stardom could be slipping away.
Rioli's goal celebration for Willie
Tim Michell
Lauren Wood
It was the goal celebration that went all the way from the MCG to the Tiwi Islands.
Dual premiership Tiger Daniel Rioli has dedicated his Grand Final glory to provisionally suspended cousin and Eagle Willie Rioli, who is facing dual ASADA charges after a month from hell.
Willie last month failed an in-competition drug test, it emerged this week, adding further pain after allegations of urine substitution from a separate out-of-competition ASADA test last month.
He has been provisionally suspended and travelled back to his home before West Coast's semi-final loss, and when Tiger Rioli booted a first-quarter goal, he raised both hands in a "44" symbol, a message to his cousin.
"It was a shoutout to Willie," Rioli said.
"I love him and miss him so much. I'm sure he'd be watching. I dedicated the game to him and lucky enough to get the win.
"It means so much. Obviously it's tough times and what he's been through right now is devastating and I feel for him. I just can't wait to get back up there and celebrate this victory with him.
"That's seven premierships between the Riolis now, so it's pretty special."
Rioli had the number 44 written on one of his wrists. On the other? Matty and Sabs, after he lost a bet. "I wasn't a fan of it, but I had to do it," he laughed.
"I'm a man of my word."
He said he was able to soak up the victory as the Tigers romped to the 89-point win.
"It felt so good to be up by that much," he said.
"I felt like we could just relax and watch the boys go to work in the midfield and get it down to the boys up forward.
"I'm a two-time premiership player now, so it's pretty special."
Trent Cotchin's kids only met Marlion Pickett's kids for the first time on Grand Final eve, but the Richmond captain could sense an instant connection. By the time Cotchin's daughters – Harper, 4, and Mackenzie, 3 – were running around with Pickett's four children – Marlion Jr, 9, Latrelle, 7, Shaniqua, 4 and Levi, 4 – in the yellow and black ticker-tape on the MCG in the afterglow of Richmond's 12th VFL-AFL premiership, it looked as if they had formed a bond for life. Cotchin's son, Parker, who was born in July, will be too young to remember what happened. The same could be said for Jack Riewoldt's daughter, Poppy, who was born in March, but both relatively new arrivals were a part of the celebrations after the game and into the night. Bachar Houli's two daughters – Sarah, 5, and Maryam, 2 – weren't far away, and have known Cotchin's children for most of their lives, spending plenty of time both yesterday and throughout the football season in the club's game-day creche. That family feel, whether it is the young or the old, the kids or the parents, is something the Richmond Football Club takes seriously.
Ask any of the parents and family members in the victorious rooms after the Tigers' 89-point Grand Final victory over Greater Western Sydney, and they will tell you that this connection has played a massive room in the club's extraordinary two premierships across the past three seasons. "Yesterday was the first day that my kids have actually Marlion's kids and they just stuck like glue," Cotchin said last night in the MCG rooms. "They know what it means to be a part of the family. It is just so special. "Ever since 'Dimma' has been at the footy club, he said 'We are a family club' and once you start having kids yourself, that's when it becomes more special. "The kids probably don't have any idea of what is going on. "My kids have been asking me for about 10 weeks when I am bringing the premiership cup home. "I am just so grateful that our boys (the players) are so accepting and welcoming of the kids." Marlion Pickett's father Thomas – who is a reluctant flyer but made the trip across from Perth on Friday to see his son make an extraordinary debut on football's biggest stage – said Richmond had been an incredible support to his son and his family in a relatively short time. "It's all about family mate, the kids had a great day," Thomas Pickett said. His wife, Angela, said: "The club is so good … they have been so good for the family."
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said Hardwick, who has coached the club for a decade now, always pushed the family-first aspect and the players had bought into the feeling. "It is something Damien has always encouraged … his parents are always here and his wife Danielle is always here," Gale said. "The boys are maturing now, and they are starting their own families. "When you start having your own kids, you develop a real sense of perspective. It's not all about footy and it is not all about the outcome. Tom Lynch's father, Peter, said he always knew the Tigers would be a family first club, but has been so appreciative of bringing his entire family into the fold. "They live and breath family," Peter Lynch said. There were more than 100 member of Houli's family in attendance yesterday, including his brother, Dr Nezor Houli, who swelled with pride in the rooms. "I'm so proud of him, he is tired tonight, but he's very happy," Dr Houli said.
Kate Salemme
Brett Deledio made his way into the Richmond rooms to congratulate his former club.
