AFL Richmond v Port Adelaide 2023: All the latest news, analysis and fallout

Andrew McQualter fell 10 points short of victory in his first game in charge but he received a huge endorsement to take the Richmond coaching job full-time.

Rebecca Williams and Ronny Lerner

7 min read

May 30, 2023 - 1:45PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Damien Hardwick with a different kind of pre-game preparation. Picture: Twitter

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Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin has hailed Andrew McQualter as having “all the attributes” needed to become the Tigers’ next senior coach as he paid tribute to the impact of his flag-winning mentor Damien Hardwick.

As Tigers started their post-Hardwick era with a 10-point loss to Port Adelaide at the MCG, Cotchin backed the credentials of caretaker coach McQualter after his first game in charge.

Describing McQualter’s support and the delivery of his message during an emotional week at Punt Rd as “spot on”, the three-time premiership skipper said the long-time Richmond assistant had all the right characteristics to be Hardwick’s successor.

“He (McQualter) has been amazing ... he has been an incredible supporter for us, how long has he been a senior assistant for, seven or eight years,” Cotchin said.

“He is one of those people that has brilliant relationships with everyone across the club, he is incredibly emotionally intelligent and he speaks so well.

“The delivery of his message and so forth for the whole week has been spot on and I know that he has got an amazing team around him that are going to support him all the way through. So, we are excited about what that looks like.

Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter. Picture: Michael Klein

Asked whether he could see McQualter as Richmond’s next senior coach, Cotchin said “absolutely”.

“He has got all the attributes a senior coach needs,” Cotchin said.

“And, again, probably has the humility to know that there are areas that he would like to grow in and that’s all part of the journey that they’re on.”

Hardwick shocked the AFL this week when he announced he was immediately stepping down as senior coach after 13 years in charge.

As Richmond skipper, Cotchin raised three premiership cups alongside Hardwick and said he would “never underestimate” the impact of his long-time coach.

“Clearly, he has been a huge part and massive figure of our footy club, but also for our playing group for a long period of time,” Cotchin said.

“Whilst we probably know it’s right and, even after seeing after he announced what he was up to you could just see a sense of relief in the way that he was present, really.

“We will never underestimate the impact that he has had on our lives, not just in footy, but in life. But in saying that the group was really energised and excited about the opportunity that it presented for ‘Mini’, our other coaches and our group.”

The Richmond cheer squad’s tribute to Damien Hardwick. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Cotchin revealed Hardwick broke the news to him he was stepping down as coach early on Monday in a meeting at his house.

“He contacted me earlier in the morning on Monday and I shot over to his house and sat down with him to hear the news,” Cotchin said.

“It was a relatively brief meeting, obviously he had so much to get through contacting as many people as he could before it broke.

“I’ve always loved Dimma and respected him. Not just him, his family has been a huge part of my family’s life and that will never change.

“Naturally, he is one of those characters that will fight for everything and anything that he is passionate about. I know that the passion was still there, it was just a matter of, as he said in his press conference, feeling like he was not 100 per cent committed which at the end of the day is why he made the decision that it was the right time for him and we totally respect that.”

Approaching game 300, Cotchin admitted it was disappointing Hardwick would not be in charge for his milestone match

“At the end of the day, as much as it is a significant milestone, I actually hate it being about me or any individual,” Cotchin said.

“That will be what it will be.”

Trent Cotchin with Damien Hardwick after the 2019 premiership. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

While it is speculated Cotchin could retire at the end of this season, the 33-year-old said he had “not really” given a lot of thought yet to his future.

“I’m literally just trying to soak up every last part of it,” Cotchin said.

“Even after we lined up pre-game and then running back to the Punt Rd end and just the cheer, even though it wasn’t the biggest crowd that I have played in front of, still sends shivers down my spine.

“I am so grateful for being able to come out here for 16 years now and play the game that I grew up loving and continue to love and try to do my best for my team.”

Port makes it eight in a row against spirited Tigers

- Ronny Lerner

Port Adelaide has continued its charge towards the top of the ladder after seeing off a spirited Richmond challenge to down the Tigers by 10 points at the MCG on Sunday.

The Power, who adopted the Indigenous name Yartapuulti, accounted for the Tigers 10.17 (77) to 9.13 (67), to register eight consecutive wins for the first time since 2014 – a year in which they made it to a preliminary final – and make a mockery of club legend Warren Tredrea describing coach Ken Hinkley’s tenure as “untenable”.

The result meant Richmond couldn’t make a successful start to their post-Damien Hardwick era, five days after the triple premiership coach announced his immediate resignation.

When Port Adelaide kicked five consecutive goals to open up a 26-point lead early in the second quarter, it looked like the Power were headed for a massive win.

But Richmond responded by getting their running/transition game going and on the back of a sharp spike in handballs, they cut the deficit to just two points early in the final quarter.

The Tigers ramped up their pressure markedly, too, as the Power suffered badly from the yips, scoring 3.14 from their next 17 shots after kicking their fifth goal in the opening term.

But a pair of majors from Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson in the last quarter steadied the ship as Port’s lead extended to 17 points, thanks largely to their midfield’s clearance domination in the final term.

Zak Butters was brilliant again in another Port Adelaide win. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Despite the result, Richmond recruit Tim Taranto played the game of his career, racking up 33 disposals (12 contested), seven clearances and four goals to be the best player on the ground.

For the winners, Zak Butters continued his rich vein of form by accumulating 32 touches (14 contested) and a goal, while Kane Farrell, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis also ensured a strong performance from Port Adelaide’s midfield, as they comfortably won the clearances 37-29, inside-50s 67-45 and scoring shots 27-20.

Down back, Aliir Aliir was magnificent, rendering Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt ineffectual while repelling numerous Tigers forward forays.

ALIIR STANDS TALL

Early in the final term, with Richmond trailing by just two points, the Tigers threatened to grab the lead when Jack Ross kicked the ball forward. Aliir was there to save the day for Port, taking the mark sandwiched between Jack Graham and Riewoldt. From the ensuing transition, Lord converted the set shot to put the Power up by eight points, when they so easily could have found themselves four points down moments earlier.

Aliir Aliir outmarks Samson Ryan. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

McKENZIE TO THE RESCUE

And with 3:15 left in the game, Taranto looked like he kicked another goal to get his team back within 11 points. However, a lunging dive from Trent McKenzie on the goal line ensured the ball was touched and spared the Power from contending with a nervous finish.

WASTEFUL TIGERS

The Tigers started the second term stronger but for all their domination, wasted numerous shots at goal, kicking a horrible 2.7 to trail by 11 points at halftime when they probably should have been in front. The Power had their fair share of chances too, managing just five behinds for the quarter. The worst of Richmond’s misses was a straightforward set shot from Riewoldt from 25m out directly in front which he sprayed to the right.

Tim Taranto celebrates one of his four goals for the Tigers. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

TARANTO’S SUPERB SNAPS

Taranto’s finishing has come under question this year, but in a sea of wasted chances in front of goal his radar was spot on. After Richmond started the second term with just one goal from their first seven scoring shots, they desperately needed a goal to get reward for all their hard work, and Taranto was the man who delivered. Just before time on, the former Giant grabbed the ball and produced a brilliant snap from the pocket on a very sharp angle to get the Tigers within 11 points. And when Richmond needed another goal badly in the third term after slumping to 4.12, it was Taranto again who produced the goods, snapping magnificently from 40m out on the boundary to get his team back within 10 points.

HARDWICK TRIBUTE

At the 17-minute mark of the first quarter, the Richmond fans in attendance gave a round of applause to Hardwick to recognise his enormous contribution to the club. The No.17 was chosen in honour of the 2017 premiership which Hardwick oversaw, ending Richmond’s famous 37-year premiership drought.

TIGERS 1.3, 3.10, 6.12, 9.13 (67)

POWER 5.4, 5.9, 7.14, 10.17 (77)

LERNER’S BESTTigers: Taranto, Broad, Bolton, Nankervis, Balta, Prestia, D.Rioli. Power: Butters, Aliir, Farrell, Rozee, Houston, Horne-Francis, Lycett.

GOALSTigers: Taranto 4, Martin 2, Bolton, Ryan, Clarke. Power: McEntee, Burton, Wines, Mead, Byrne-Jones, Drew, Butters, Lord, Finlayson, Horne-Francis.

UMPIRES Fisher, Stephens, Wallace, McGinness

VENUE MCG

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LERNER’S VOTES

3 Tim Taranto (Rich)

2 Zak Butters (PA)

1 Aliir Aliir (PA)

Dimma’s hilarious show of social media support

It’s not his side anymore, but Damien Hardwick is itching to see Richmond in action.

Just five days after calling time on his illustrious coaching career, Hardwick was decked out in his Tigers gear … only this time he will be watching on as a fan.

The three-time premiership coach had a beer in hand next to his dog on the couch in the post as he prepares to watch the Tigers — led by interim coach Andrew McQualter — up against Port Adelaide at the MCG.