Here's an article from The Sunday Age in August 18, 1991 about KB's 'future' at Richmond. Perhaps the misplaced self-confidence he has in this article is one of the reasons why he hasn't returned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bartlett: I'll be coaching in '92
By Martin Blake
Kevin Bartlett either knows something the rest of the world does not, or he has the keenest sense of self-preservation.
After Richmond's 17-point victory over Footscray at the MCG yesterday, Bartlett, whose position as coach has been the subject of a fortnight's speculation since the Tigers' loss to Fitzroy, strolled around the boundary with an arm raised and a finger pointing to the sky before the same Richmond throng that had hooted him two weeks ago.
Then he blandly announced to the media that he would continue as coach next year. The Tigers' board, which decides such things, has not made any statement, aside from pointing out that there will be no decisions until the season is complete. Last night, club general manager Cameron Schwab confirmed that nothing had changed.
Although Bartlett described as 'scurrilous' some of the recent media talk about his future (his four-year contract expires at the end of the season), he said none of it had affected him. "I haven't felt anything whatsoever. No heat's been on me, I can tell you. I have no problems about my future at Richmond."
When a journalist asked whether he would have liked to see the club show faith in the same way St Kilda has with its early reappointment of Ken Sheldon, Bartlett said: "It doesn't really concern me. I'll be coaching next year."
Bartlett, who recently described Richmond as potentially the team of the 1990s, repeated his claim from a fortnight ago that the Tigers have improved. "If we get two or three players, we can make the jump into that group of teams battling for fifth and sixth positions easily," he said.
Richmond has won only six of its 20 games this year. Bartlett has taken the Tigers to 10th, 14th and 11th in his three previous years and they have not strung together successive wins this season. But he had a good day yesterday, using defender Brian Leys as a successful tag on prolific Bulldog Simon Atkins. Leys reduced Atkins from his average 28 disposals a game to just 12 in a crucial duel.
The coaching position aside, it was a day of celebration for captain Dale Weightman, who capped his 250th game with a superb exhibition of roving. Inspirtational as ever, the skipper had 37 disposals despite potentially-strong opposition from Tony Liberatore, Brian Royal and company.
Bartlett, who holds the Richmond club record of 403 games, said he has no doubt that Weightman could reach 300. "He's one of the greatest players I've seen. If you look at it, he's played 250 games now and probably 225 of those have been of the highest order. He's had diabetes for seven years and he's had plenty of injuries but he keeps coming up."
Footscray coach Terry Wheeler scathingly criticised his side, describing yesterdays' performance as the worst in his two years at the club. "It's disappointing particularly because I really believed we were making progress. On today's showing we are not."
Wheeler, whose stated aim for the season was 13 wins, rejected a suggestion that his side had been flat because the Bulldogs were out of the race for the finals. "We had everything to gain," he said.
The Footscray coach said his side's skill level had fallen away to playground level. "There certainly is a future at the club but today's showing has put us back."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bartlett: I'll be coaching in '92
By Martin Blake
Kevin Bartlett either knows something the rest of the world does not, or he has the keenest sense of self-preservation.
After Richmond's 17-point victory over Footscray at the MCG yesterday, Bartlett, whose position as coach has been the subject of a fortnight's speculation since the Tigers' loss to Fitzroy, strolled around the boundary with an arm raised and a finger pointing to the sky before the same Richmond throng that had hooted him two weeks ago.
Then he blandly announced to the media that he would continue as coach next year. The Tigers' board, which decides such things, has not made any statement, aside from pointing out that there will be no decisions until the season is complete. Last night, club general manager Cameron Schwab confirmed that nothing had changed.
Although Bartlett described as 'scurrilous' some of the recent media talk about his future (his four-year contract expires at the end of the season), he said none of it had affected him. "I haven't felt anything whatsoever. No heat's been on me, I can tell you. I have no problems about my future at Richmond."
When a journalist asked whether he would have liked to see the club show faith in the same way St Kilda has with its early reappointment of Ken Sheldon, Bartlett said: "It doesn't really concern me. I'll be coaching next year."
Bartlett, who recently described Richmond as potentially the team of the 1990s, repeated his claim from a fortnight ago that the Tigers have improved. "If we get two or three players, we can make the jump into that group of teams battling for fifth and sixth positions easily," he said.
Richmond has won only six of its 20 games this year. Bartlett has taken the Tigers to 10th, 14th and 11th in his three previous years and they have not strung together successive wins this season. But he had a good day yesterday, using defender Brian Leys as a successful tag on prolific Bulldog Simon Atkins. Leys reduced Atkins from his average 28 disposals a game to just 12 in a crucial duel.
The coaching position aside, it was a day of celebration for captain Dale Weightman, who capped his 250th game with a superb exhibition of roving. Inspirtational as ever, the skipper had 37 disposals despite potentially-strong opposition from Tony Liberatore, Brian Royal and company.
Bartlett, who holds the Richmond club record of 403 games, said he has no doubt that Weightman could reach 300. "He's one of the greatest players I've seen. If you look at it, he's played 250 games now and probably 225 of those have been of the highest order. He's had diabetes for seven years and he's had plenty of injuries but he keeps coming up."
Footscray coach Terry Wheeler scathingly criticised his side, describing yesterdays' performance as the worst in his two years at the club. "It's disappointing particularly because I really believed we were making progress. On today's showing we are not."
Wheeler, whose stated aim for the season was 13 wins, rejected a suggestion that his side had been flat because the Bulldogs were out of the race for the finals. "We had everything to gain," he said.
The Footscray coach said his side's skill level had fallen away to playground level. "There certainly is a future at the club but today's showing has put us back."
