LATE Tuesday night, Damien Hardwick wore the contented look of a coach who didn't even need to flick the switch at any stage during the game against Melbourne.
His senior players did it for him.
The Demons came hard at his Tigers in the opening term of the Anzac Day Eve blockbuster at the MCG and again in the third term, but with Hardwick little more than a highly-engaged spectator up in the coaches box, the on-field adjustments were made, the nature of the game changed and the Tigers careered away to a 46-point win that leaves them 4-1 and on top of the ladder for the first time during the home and away season since 1995.
The Tigers just figure it out.
“We give them some parameters to play with,” Hardwick said, pointing to the example set by skipper Trent Cotchin who, according to the stats sheet, was quiet with just 15 disposals.
“But he had 96 pressure points and eight or nine tackles (actually seven) and that’s the great thing about how mature our side has become.
“They know it’s not their day, but they find other roles to play really well. Dion was the same. Didn't have the offensive output but high-pressure points and high tackles.
The praise for the senior players continued.
Of spearhead Jack Riewoldt, he said, “I can’t speak highly enough the way he fights bigger blokes, two blokes, three blokes …he’s such a great leader for our football club.
“And then you have the full back of the century, Alex (Rance). You marvel at what he can do, win the ball and start our offense from there.
“I’m very lucky to have those blokes playing for me.”
It is the non-match related stuff that will cause Hardwick more stress in the next few days.
Selection for the Collingwood game shapes as a nightmare, given that his three ‘ins’ all performed well against Melbourne.
Second-game livewire small forward Jack Higgins led the Tigers with three goals, Nathan Broad fitted seamlessly back into defence and Sam Lloyd kicked two goals and was dangerous near goals all night.
Jack Graham will be available after suspension while Josh Caddy and Nick Vlastuin are also good chances to return from injury.
“I wish I could have one night where I didn't have to worry about it,” he joked about team selection.
“We have some tough decisions to make for the Collingwood game, but we’re in a great position and I’d rather have that than no troops on the horizon.”
The Tigers have less than five days to prepare for the Sunday afternoon MCG clash with the Pies.
Hardwick said the focus will be almost entirely on recovery and that the only likely training session will be a light “kick and catch” on Saturday.
