sport news Richmond Tigers AFL coach Damien Hardwick tells the media 'say it to my face' ... trends now
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has hit out at media 'narratives' critical of him and the club, adamant his players remain capable of salvaging the poor start to the season.
The Tigers are languishing in 16th spot on the ladder, with rebuilding sides Hawthorn and West Coast - who the club faces on Saturday afternoon - the only clubs sitting below them.
Hardwick said he was 'incredibly flat and frustrated' with where the club was but declared he still had the desire to coach the club long term.
Richmond faces the nightmare scenario of giving up a prized first round selection (currently pick three) to Greater Western Sydney after the Jacob Hopper trade last year, but Hardwick said he would much prefer the proven player than 'magic beans'.
The Tigers have been cruelled by injury this season and will get some relief this weekend, with premiership midfielders Dion Prestia and Jack Graham set to return against the Eagles.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has shot back at the media in an angry outburst daring journalists to confront him personally with their criticisms
Images of Richmond players looking downcast after a loss - like this one taken after their defeat by the Suns last weekend - are becoming all too familiar for Tigers fans
Responding to claims Hardwick had potentially lost the players, the coach was blunt.
'It's their narratives. That's the reality, it's easy to sit there and say those comments when they're sitting behind a desk - come and say it to my face,' he said.
Hardwick said it was an easy fix for the Tigers to return to their best, with the three-time premiership coach having full faith that his playing group can turn it around.
'One of those ones you sit back and reflect and the overriding things 'why things how they are'. And it's a bit like everything - you're never quite as bad as you seem,' Hardwick said.
'It's a relatively simple fix for us, our energy and intensity weren't anywhere near the level that we'd like and that's something we spoke about with
