Pure Footy: David King and Daniel Hoyne lift lid on AFL trends, stats after Round 21

Damien Hardwick is the best halftime coach in the competition, thanks largely to an ‘amazing’ performance from an unlikely saviour. Watch Pure Footy.

Don’t panic.

That’s the mantra that has made Damien Hardwick “the best halftime coach in the competition” according to North Melbourne champion David King and Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne.

Speaking on Pure Footy, the analysis show exclusive each Tuesday to heraldsun.com.au, Hoyne said Hardwick showed a typical calmness after Richmond kicked just two goals in the first half against North Melbourne.

WATCH A NEW EPISODE OF PURE FOOTY ABOVE

“His ability to be able to assess what’s happening in game, get to halftime, have the 15 minutes with the coaching group and the players — ‘Let’s work out what’s happening and spin the magnets around a little bit’.

“It took me back to halftime in the Grand Final last year where they were three goals down ... he comes out after halftime, there was no panic, (saying) ‘We needed that 15 minutes just to reassess, we’ve changed a few things up, our game is in good shape’.”

Hardwick’s key move on Saturday was to counter North Melbourne’s uncontested marking game by shifting his new Mr Fixit Liam Baker to half-forward.

Baker responded by producing one of the best individual halves of the season.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: Michael Klein

“He’s been used in a lot of different areas this year,” Hoyne said.

“His first half on the weekend he played 100 per cent midfield, didn’t go in the forward half.”

In the second half he played 75 per cent as a forward, reducing the impact of the Kangaroos’ attacking defenders and hurting them the other way.

“Fifteen disposals for a half as a forward is enormous, eight of those going on the scoreboard, two goals, two score assists — it was just another case of Dimma being able to sit back, relax, (thinking) I’ve got faith in this group, spin the magnets — we’ll be OK.”

In today’s episode Hoyne and King also reveal why Toby Greene should be All-Australian captain, St Kilda’s surprising premiership profile, how the Lions got their season back on track and more.