Dustin Martin reaches for the ball in Richmond's 51-point win over Geelong in Yea.
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Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has praised his young team’s ability to bounce back from its round one NAB Cup loss to Hawthorn a fortnight ago.
The Tigers defeated Geelong by 51 points at Yea Recreational Reserve today in front of about 5,000 fans.
“I was really pleased with the guys’ endeavour today,” Hardwick said.
“From where we came from two weeks ago, we needed to show a bit more, and it was really pleasing that the team in general played pretty well.”
The Tigers tackled, chased and created turnovers against an under-strength Geelong team.
“It’s been a focus of our whole pre season. Even in the Hawthorn game I thought our pressure was pretty good,” Hardwick said.
“Look, you take 12 players out of a Geelong side and our pressure is going to look pretty good.
“We’ll take some good things out of the game, move on and look forward to NAB Challenge Three.”
Hardwick was impressed by the younger brigade of Tigers, in particular first gamers Relton Roberts, Troy Taylor, Jeromey Webberley and Matthew Dea.
“The great thing about bringing young players into a group is that they all show something at some stage,” he said.
“It gives the club a sign for the future. Every guy that’s come in so far has done a really good job.”
Hardwick said next week’s NAB Challenge match will give the club a chance to rest some of its stars as the home and away season nears.
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