Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s weekly gifts have focused on the NFL as the Tigers pick up key messages from America’s sporting giants
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick continues to think outside the square in a bid to motivate the Tigers in their chase for a third premiership in four years, Sam Landsberger revealing the latest gifts he is giving his players.
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Richmond players suspect Damien Hardwick will hand out 22 T-shirts with an NFL-inspired message printed on them moments before they run on to the Gabba in search of a fourth-straight preliminary final berth on Friday night.
SCROLL DOWN: NANK WANTS TO STAY AT PUNT RD
Hardwick’s famed weekly presents have taken on a practical shape since the Tigers relocated to Queensland, and this season the dual premiership coach has drawn heavily on American sports to help drum key messages into his players.
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“Obviously we thought we were only coming up here for 32 days, and we’ve been here for about 12 weeks,” midfielder Jack Graham told News Corp.
“So we’ve been running out of clothes and Dimma’s been giving us a couple of shirts each game, which is good just to wear around the hub or down to the beach.
“We’ve got a theme each week and a lot of them have been NFL players and the role that they play.”
All-Australian defender Dylan Grimes said Hardwick’s most recent batch of T-shirts highlighted NFL defensive philosophies, which he thought related to the 1980s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Dimma’s a massive NFL fan so I’m not surprised he keeps going back,” Grimes said.
Returning best-and-fairest winner Dion Prestia said a documentary on the 1985 Super Bowl champions Chicago Bears and their miserly defence was also illustrated.
“There are a lot of blokes walking around in different NFL jerseys, and there is usually a story behind a certain theme,” Prestia said.
“The 1985 (Chicago) Bears, there was a doco on their season and I am guessing that’s something to do with our defence.
“So guys are still getting all the presents and it’s a different point of view. There are a lot of things you can relate to even in different sports and even when it’s not completely sport-related, it’s a different way of seeing things.”
Hardwick hands out the T-shirts just moments before the Tigers pull on their playing guernseys.
“It might be a famous play someone ran or someone who’s done a block or an amazing touchdown or just a team effort,” Graham said
“He’ll get that team printed on the shirt and it’s a gift to everyone to bring a bit of that player or that team into the game.”
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Grimes said the novel idea pointed to Hardwick’s brilliance as a teacher.
“He ties in stories and lessons from not only sport, but business or charity or political events – you name it – that apply to a particular lesson he’s trying to teach us throughout the week,” Grimes said.
“One thing Dimma does really well is storytelling. He’s able to connect with people and use a story to teach us.
“Honestly, you have no idea each week what he’s going to pull out of the hat.
“He seems to find something that galvanises the group and it applies to a particular message we’re trying to learn on-field.”
Every player receives the same T-shirt, although Rubik’s cubes and vinyl records have previously featured in Hardwick’s bag of presents
Hardwick is 14-0 coaching against the Lions and the Tigers are shooting for their 16th consecutive victory against Brisbane.
NANK WANTS TO STAY AT PUNT RD
Toby Nankervis says the absence of Ivan Soldo and Tom Lynch won’t impact his role against Brisbane Lions as the out-of-contract ruckman declares he wants to re-sign with Richmond.
Nankervis, 26, was dropped earlier this season as speculation grew he could be traded to a third AFL club in search of a clear No.1 ruck mantle.
But with Soldo (knee) set to miss most of 2021, suddenly Nankervis shapes as an important signing as he prepares to take on Stefan Martin and Oscar McInerney on Friday night.
Nankervis will partner the leaping Mabior Chol in a combination he said could take off.
“It’s funny, whether I’m playing with Ivan, Mabs, first or second ruck my role doesn’t really change,” Nankervis said.
“I love playing with Mabs, I feel like we can form a really strong combination together.
“He’s had a terrific year and really shown what he can do.”
But the big man was conscious that McInerney has emerged as a super talent this season and the strong, athletic Martin glides around the ground.
The Soldo blow has meant Nankervis has spent both more minutes on the ground and in the ruck.
But the former Sydney player enters the October finals series feeling fresh after missing almost three months with an ankle injury.
“I’ve come in a little bit later with the injury, so I feel fresher than a lot of blokes probably to,” he said.
All-Australian Lions stopper Harris Andrews conceded five goals to Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch in Round 10, which was his most expensive game since Tom Hawkins booted seven goals in 2017.
But Riewoldt – who will not have Lynch (hamstring) beside him in the qualifying final – said Andrews himself had to be stopped.
“We might’ve got a couple of lucky ones out the back (in Round 10),” Riewoldt said.
“Whilst we have to try and focus on hitting the scoreboard from our point of view, it’s also reducing his impact in the air.
“He’s All-Australian backline player for a reason – he can hurt you offensively as well as defensively.”
Dylan Grimes rated Charlie Cameron as one of football’s great all-rounder because of his mix of aerial and ground influence and blistering speed.
“Whether it’s wet or dry Charlie’s equally damaging,” Grimes said.,
“You look at that and they’re the players that are the biggest challenges to play on.
“How do you stop all facets of their game?”
Lions defender Darcy Gardiner has spent 56 minutes on Dustin Martin in the past two games with Brisbane expected to stick with that match-up.
Martin booted 6.0 in last year’s qualifying final and then had 24 disposals in this year’s clash
