The wheels are falling off the Richmond 2019 season one by one and while it is difficult to accept, the club must and put into action a very real plan that at the very least secures some decent draft picks come the end of the season.
I believe the focus now falls on the Football Manager Neil Balme who has the experience and integrity to make some hard calls. I think he needs to put some heat on the coaching staff and in particular “tramtracks” Hardwick.
If supporters in the stands can see such playing flaws as certain players “pulling out” of contests but still get selected, that falls on the coaching staff. If supporters can see players repeating the same mistakes, game after game, deemed as fundamentals of the game like vision and kicking to a teammate; that falls on the coaching staff.
Selecting serial underperformers falls on the coaching staff and selection committee. Persisting with Martin in his current state is a gamble that is not paying off; that falls on the coaching staff and Balme needs to speak from the hip to his staff while sniffing around the club and during training sessions to get a sniff of the mind state of the group.
Injuries aside, and they do hurt, Balme needs to look at the commitment of the group and certain individuals that take to the field to play for the Tigers. They have been indulged with a lot of “soft” love over the last few seasons; it’s time for some hard love from the club and that goes for all the coaches as well.
