Coach Damien Hardwick has flagged several changes to Richmond’s line-up for next Sunday night’s Round 12 match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The Tigers are coming off a 50-point loss to Essendon at the MCG last Saturday night, which, arguably, was the most disappointing performance since Hardwick took over the coaching reins at the end of the 2009 season.
Hardwick was incensed with the effort and declared, “there has to be changes”, in an interview he gave on 3AW yesterday (Sunday).
“It’s an unacceptable (state) to be in. We’re 3-7 at this stage and we’ve got to find some players,” he said.
“We knew Essendon were always going to come out and chip the ball around our back half, but for us to not be able to put any pressure on them, in that facet of the game, was really disappointing.
“That’s the thing we spoke about at the end. We can handle losing, but when it becomes a work-rate issue, that’s something we can’t tolerate, and something we can’t accept.
“So, we’re just going to have to move on and find some players that are willing to put their hand up and play the Richmond way, because at the moment we’re a long way short.”
When questioned what the “Richmond way” is, Hardwick replied: “Winning games”.
He tabled young midfielder Anthony Miles as a player who would be in the selection frame to make his senior debut for the Club, following another prolific ball-winning performance at VFL level last weekend (35 disposals).
