Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has given a ringing endorsement to his long-time assistant Brendon Lade, who will take the senior coaching reins for the Tigers’ opening round NAB Challenge clash with Fremantle at Mandurah on Friday.
“Brendon has been a wonderful assistant of mine,” Hardwick said.
“It’s going to be great for his development.
Win the 2016 Tigers Golden Ticket by becoming a Richmond member
“He’s very good at what he does and it’s a great opportunity for him to get out there and show what he can do.
“He’s prepared thoroughly for this week, so it’s a great experience for him.”
Hardwick is looking forward to gaining a different perspective on a Richmond match from out of the coaches box.
“I’ll be down on the bench. It’ll be good not having to stress for a change,” he said.
“Brendon and I talk all the time anyway, so it’s not going to be anything different that we don’t normally do. He’ll just address the team at the breaks.”
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Lade is likely to remain the Tigers’ main coach for the team’s NAB Challenge match against Hawthorn the following week (Saturday, February 27).
“He’ll probably get two opportunities at it and then I’ll probably sit in the seat come NAB 3 (against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Thursday, March 10),” Hardwick said.
Brendon Lade with the Richmond playing group on Wednesday
