AFL Supplementary Selection Period: Paul Hunter joins the Saints, Richmond signs defender Rhyan Mansell
St Kilda has wasted little time in bolstering its ruck stocks after Rowan Marshall’s injury, adding a former Crow to the list. Plus the latest on Richmond’s SSP signing.
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St Kilda has swooped on former Adelaide ruckman Paul Hunter after Rowan Marshall’s foot injury.
The Saints have added the South Adelaide player to their list as part of the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period after the 28-year-old impressed at training over summer.
Saints list manager James Gallagher said it completed the club’s playing list and Hunter would provide some much needed ruck depth.
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“We initially invited Paul to train with us, with a view to look at him in the mid-season or November draft,” he said.
“But with the injury to Rowan this week, and Paul’s strong performances in our match practice, it became very evident that he should be on our list.
“We’re conscious of the implications for South Adelaide, but it’s important we head into the season with further ruck support and we believe that Paul is the best prepared ruckman outside of the AFL.
“Paul’s a dedicated guy, and he’s really excited to get another shot at the highest level, so we’re very happy to be able to provide that opportunity.”
Tasmanian Tiger could make early debut
- Nick Smart
Richmond believes 20-year-old Tasmanian defender Rhyan Mansell is a chance to make a quick debut after an impressive summer apprenticeship.
The Tigers handed the pacy defender an AFL lifeline in a boost for Tasmanian football after no players were taken from that state in the past two national drafts.
Mansell won three premierships with North Launceston then was turned into a 180cm lockdown defender with electric pace when he moved to SANFL club Woodville West Torrens, taking on the opposition’s best small forward in a premiership triumph.
The Tigers still have players including ex-Adelaide No.15 draft selection Jordan Galluci training with them for the club’s last list spot in the next fortnight.
Manswell was added to the Tigers’ list via the AFL’s Supplementary Selection Period, which delivered Sydney Stack in 2019.
Richmond recruiting boss Matt Clark told the Herald Sun on Thursday the Tigers believed Mansell’s single-minded focus locking down on his opponent could give him chances in the AFL this year.
“I definitely think so. He has all the right attributes for us. He is a competitive and instinctive body player and there are guys you need to wind up a bit, but he has that competitiveness naturally to go down and play as a small back. It was one of the reasons we got him over.
“We think he has the development in his game to play higher up like Jayden Short and Liam Baker, but if you need to lock away someone at a stoppage with that defensive mindset he is really strong.”
“We have been tracking him playing Tassie footy in the under-18s and 19s and then he had that chance to play good senior footy in a different role. He has trained really well and fitted in here and we wanted an extra small with good speed, so he was the kind of player we were looking for.’’
Clark said it was another boon for Tasmanian football, which has been rocked by the diminishing interest in its juniors.
“The Pies took Isaac Chugg in the rookie draft last year, a 400m runner and we liked him as well, and so for Rhyan to also get a chance is great given he played the bulk of his footy down there in Tasmania.”
The Tigers will continue watching Galluci, Nick Couroupis, ex-GWS academy player Josh Green and delisted defender Derek Eggmolesse-Smith for the next fortnight before making a decision on their final list spot.
HARDWICK BREAKS SILENCE ON MARRIAGE SPLIT
- Nick Smart
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has opened up on his marriage split for the first time and how it will impact the Tigers as they push for a premiership three-peat in 2021.
Breaking his silence on SEN Radio on Monday morning, Hardwick said he addressed the delicate issue with his players on his first day back at the club this pre-season.
It was reported in January that Hardwick was now in a relationship with a Richmond staffer after leaving his wife Danielle, with whom he shares three children.
“The reality was on the first day back I had to speak to the players about it,” Hardwick said on SEN.
“That’s something we do at the club and it was important we did that so we could get on with the business of preparing for Round 1.
“We just finished a terrific pre-season camp and we always speak about things that are distractions in our lives and distractions that might bring about the demise of great teams.
“That’s the reality of competition, sides are always dealing with those distractions but sides that deal with it best come out on top.
“We’re now fully focused on preparing for Round 1 and the players are understanding of my situation and where we’re at.
“But what I also have to understand is there are a lot of staff of players that are incredibly close to Danielle and my family.
“The fact of the matter is, my entire family has been a massive part and will continue to be a massive part of the Richmond Football Club.
“I’m glad they’re supporting her and this isn’t about taking sides, it’s about making sure what’s best for everyone.”
Hardwick said he spoke to his players ‘openly and honestly’ about the sensitive matter which some have speculated could negatively impact Richmond’s push for a fourth flag in five years.
“Absolutely, it’s what we do (speak openly),” he said.
“We speak about it consistently and it was important the first time they saw me I spoke about it openly and honestly.
“The reality was on the first day back I had to speak to the players about it.
“That’s something we do at the club and it was important we did that so we could get on with the business of preparing for Round 1.”
The triple premiership coach called for privacy for his family at this time.
“The reality is these things happen in all walks of life, but I’m very much of the opinion people’s private lives should be just that, which is private,” he said.
“I know sections of the media won’t treat it that way but that’s how I’m treating it first and foremost.
“Myself and Danielle’s No.1 priority will, and always has been, our three beautiful kids and I’m very proud of the kids and the job Danielle and I have done in raising them.
“To finish the topic off really, it’s been a difficult time for everyone and out of respect for Danielle and the kids, my private life is not something I'm very comfortable speaking about.”
When further pressed by SEN breakfast host Garry Lyon on the matter, Hardwick replied:
“Like I said, this is something that is personal and I think I’ve probably dealt with enough questions on this from you two blokes,” he said.
“I’m here to talk about the footy so let’s get moving.
“I understand the media has a job to do and that’s part and parcel of the industry we’re in, but I also understand my personal life is just that.
“I’m a football coach first and foremost and that’s what I’m here to speak about now.”
ON SYDNEY STACK:
Hardwick admitted he had “no idea” on when young gun Sydney Stack will return to Punt Rd.
Stack has been in Western Australia and spent Christmas behind bars after breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Stack is out on bail ahead of sentencing in March.
“This kid, we’ll keep backing this young man in,” Hardwick said.
“He’s still young, he’s made some mistakes but he’s fundamentally a good person.
“Our role is to bring the best out of him as a player and as a person and we’ll continue to back him in, it’s what we do.
“He’s a funny one, Sydney, (as) he’s one you just align yourself to and it’s one of things I’m really proud of about our footy club is we really back our people in, which I’m experiencing first-hand right now.
“We’ll continue to do that and he’s got a little bit of work to do and his court case I think isn’t until March 26, so we won’t be back in the short term.
“But he’s doing a power of work over there and we hope to get him back at some stage.”
When asked if he knew exactly when he expected to have Stack back at the club, Hardwick said: “Unfortunately, we’ve got no idea at this stage.
“It’s a delicate situation at the moment, but as soon as we can get him back we we’ll get him back.
“But he’s in a good place at the moment, which is a positive for us.”
ON HOW THE PLAYERS CAME BACK:
“Very good and the one thing I will say about our playing group is they’re very diligent in their off-season preparation, and I’m very fortunate to coach a group that is very, very driven,” Hardwick said.
“One of the things I often talk about is humble and hungry and the group have come back just as hungry.
“We’re looking forward to a couple of practice matches in the next couple of weeks to see where we’re at.”
ON DEALING WITH LOCKDOWNS AND CONTINGENCY PLANS:
“There are two schools of thought as we always talk to our players about remaining present, but there’s also some factors outside our control that we probably do have to look at down the track,” he said.
“We’re probably fortunate in a way as we just finished a block of training and the players have been given four days off and they weren’t due back until Tuesday anyway, so it worked out OK.
“It will be a little bit challenging but we’re probably of the opinion that if Victorians do the right thing, as we’ve always done, then we’ll be back on track (soon).”
ON THE YOUNG TALENT COMING THROUGH:
“(Riley Collier-Dawkins) has had a fantastic pre-season,” he said.
“We always knew Riley was going to take a bit of time.
“He’s very explosive, he’s very powerful, his fitness base has really improved and he’s matured.
“I think he’s going to be a really good player for us and I’m really bullish about Jack Ross and there are a lot of other players.
“Jake Aarts I think is going to have a wonderful season again.
“He was very unlucky last year and played 14 games, and there’s some other guys that are going to jump up as well.
“Although we have a great side at the moment, I still feel some of our younger talent coming through is some of the most exciting talent I’ve seen.”
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