AFL 2022: Richmond coach Damien Hardwick calls for medical sub rules to be eased
There is already a long list of players who have played the next week after being subbed out. And Damien Hardwick has offered a solution.
AFL
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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has called on the AFL to loosen medical sub rules amid growing concern teams are at an advantage when allowed to bring on fresh players late in games.
Current rules allow the medical sub to be activated if the club doctor deems the injured player is likely to be sidelined for at least the next 12 days, but coaches believe the decision should be up to them after three-quarter time, Hardwick says.
It comes after Collingwood coach Craig McRae voiced concerns about not being allowed to sub Steele Sidebottom out of the game when he was restricted by cramps in the third quarter of the Pies’ clash with Geelong last week.
The Cats brought on Luke Dahlhaus in the final quarter for Esava Ratagolea, who had an ankle complaint, and went on to boot seven last-term goals to record a come-from-behind win.
The fresh-legged Dahlhaus was influential after coming on, with involvement in four scoring chains among seven touches.
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There is already a lengthy list of players who have been subbed out but returned to play the following week despite the 12-day caveat, raising fears the rule is being exploited.
Coaches largely agree the game would be benefited by a loosening of the rules, Hardwick said on Thursday morning.
“We’ve sort of spoken about it at a coaches’ association level,” the triple-premiership coach said.
“We feel like after three-quarter time it becomes (the) coach’s discretion.
“I’m also of the opinion that the fact of the matter is if one club does use it you should have the option to use it as well.
“I’m not saying it’s an advantage, because they’ve obviously lost a player. But the fact they get to bring in a fresh player, it’d be nice if we had the option.
“It adds to the excitement of the game. If a fresh Maurice Rioli comes on in the last quarter and provides a dynamic presence, well who doesn’t want to see that?
“I know I certainly do, and I’m sure our fans do as well.”
Concerns were raised with AFL football department bosses sometime between late 2021 and earlier this year but Hardwick conceded the rule was unlikely to be amended during the season.
“At the end of the day, it’s an AFL decision. It comes down to them.
“I think most coaches would probably agree with the philosophy.
“It’s probably hard to change during the season, but I think if 18 clubs are in favour of it, then maybe we should look at it.”
The Tigers are set to welcome back Jack Riewoldt and Dion Prestia for a crunch clash against the Bulldogs on Sunday, but first-year midfielder Tyler Sonsie will be made to keep working on his fitness at second-tier level despite racking up 31 touches and a goal in the VFL last week.
Hardwick said the Tigers would be buoyed by Riewoldt’s return after the veteran forward missed Maddie’s Match on Sunday.
“He probably could’ve played last week but I just thought we’d take the extra week,” Hardwick said.
“He was very keen obviously with the importance and significance of the game but he’ll be available to play this week and we look forward to welcoming him back into the forward line.”
The Tigers are likely to keep Noah Balta forward despite Riewoldt’s return, opting to back Robbie Tarrant and Josh Gibcus in defence.
Dusty’s return now a matter of ‘when’ for Tigers
Richmond senior club advisor Neil Balme believes Dustin Martin’s love of football – and the club – will ultimately see him return to the game, saying he thinks it is “not a matter of whether but when”.
But Balme stressed the Tigers fully supported Martin’s decision to take some time away from the club to deal with personal issues and would give him as much time as he needed.
Martin has missed Richmond’s past two matches – a win over GWS and a loss to St Kilda – with no timeline yet on a potential return, with some wondering if he wants to keep playing or retire from the game.
Balme told RSN Breakfast he is proud that the Tigers are giving 30-year-old Martin as much time as he needs to work through his issues, confident the star midfielder will repay the club.
“It is a personal issue for him that he has to get organised and we know he loves playing footy, so it is not a matter of whether, it is a matter of when,” Balme said.
“The thing I am proud of about footy these days – and our club particularly – is that you take the person into account more than just the club.
“We know that if we do the right thing by him and allow him to work through his stuff, that when it is his turn, he will give back a lot more to us as well.
“If it were up to us, we would say today is the day (for him to return), but obviously there is a lot more going on than we can control.”
Balme said the club would give Martin as long as he needed to work through his personal issues, which include the death of his father Shane late last year.
“We are suffering for it (his absence) at the moment, but that’s the price you pay,” he said.
“The Dusty challenge is there of course, he makes us a much better team if he plays and do we want him to play, yes,” Balme said. “If we could, would we make him play, yes we would, but I am proud of the fact that we are letting him do that (take his time in his recovery).”
Balme, who is recovering from Covid, watched the Saints’ loss on television, but maintained the Tigers can still challenge this season, despite a 1-2 start to the year.
“Then all of a sudden, Grimesy (Dylan Grimes) hurts himself during the game,” he said. “I think (Dion) Prestia should be right to play (this week), Lamby (Kane Lambert) looks a lot closer, I think Jack (Riewoldt) will be right to play. (Nick) Vlastuin is getting a lot closer.
“It is no excuse, but it will make a bit of a difference to us.”
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