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https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl...k-ross-prepare-for-debut-20190411-p51d6l.html
Dusty to help first gamer Jack Ross prepare for debut
By Peter Ryan
April 11, 2019 — 3.30pm
The undermanned Tigers have called on suspended Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin to assist in-and-under midfielder Jack Ross prepare for his first AFL game as the club pulls out all stops in the hope of claiming an unlikely victory against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick predicted Tiger fans would fall in love with Ross, the first Tiger selected to play from last year's national draft, saying he loved the way the 18-year-old played.
"He's tough. He's hard. He brings a real Richmond attitude to the way we're going to play this ball game," Hardwick said.
"He is a very quiet lad but he plays the game in a brutal way."
Ross impressed with his attack on the ball in the JLT Series and will receive tutelage from Martin, who will miss his first game since round 12 last season, which was, coincidentally against Port Adelaide.
Ross's coach at the Oakleigh Chargers, Leigh Clarke, said the club threw Ross a challenge at the start of last season when they selected him in the seconds for a practice match and his response was outstanding as he ended up winning their best and fairest award.
"He was a super player for us," Clarke said.
"He understands the complexities of the game. He is not just a raging bull. He is very task-oriented so if there is a player between him and the ball they wear the brunt of it."
Hardwick said Martin was apologetic for his actions last week, which saw the AFL Tribunal eventually suspend him for one game for elbowing Giants' defender Adam Kennedy off the ball.
The MRO originally suspended Martin, who is regarded as a ball player, for two matches but the tribunal downgraded the charge from medium to low impact, reducing the penalty by one week.
He was also fined for "flipping the bird" to a Giants' opponent during the match and for striking Matt De Boer, the player who kept him quiet during the match.
"It did genuinely affect him. He's not one of those guys who goes about belting blokes behind the play," Hardwick said.
Martin's suspension has hurt Richmond who are also without skipper Trent Cotchin, forward Jack Riewoldt and defender Alex Rance meaning the Tigers will enter a game without the key quartet for the first time since round three, 2008.
Hardwick sought clarification from the umpires during the week about the treatment of Martin, who has received just one free kick and given away six in the first three games.
He said he was comfortable with the discussion and said umpires, like coaches and players, can have bad games from time to time.
Hardwick said the Tigers understood they were undermanned but the inclusion of Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli would help and the circumstances gave other players a chance to step up.
Richmond decided to make All-Australian midfielder Shane Edwards captain and are taking a positive mindset into the clash.
The coach forecast such challenges arising at the club's season launch before round one when he compared the journey ahead to the one facing climbers of the famous El Capitan in America's Yosemite National Park.
"For the climbers, it’s all about concentrating on what you are doing right here, right now – looking for the correct foothold and the correct ledge to place your fingers in. And more importantly, the backing of your strength as a climber," Hardwick said at the time.
"For us as a team, it’s a similar approach to achieving our goal in 2019 – staying totally focused in the moment and not being distracted by anything else."
On Thursday ahead of the round four clash he was trying to rally the group.
"We are being tested at the moment there is no doubt about it," Hardwick said.
"If we can play our best footy it is good enough to win.
"Sometimes great things happen."
Dusty to help first gamer Jack Ross prepare for debut
April 11, 2019 — 3.30pm
The undermanned Tigers have called on suspended Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin to assist in-and-under midfielder Jack Ross prepare for his first AFL game as the club pulls out all stops in the hope of claiming an unlikely victory against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick predicted Tiger fans would fall in love with Ross, the first Tiger selected to play from last year's national draft, saying he loved the way the 18-year-old played.
"He's tough. He's hard. He brings a real Richmond attitude to the way we're going to play this ball game," Hardwick said.
"He is a very quiet lad but he plays the game in a brutal way."
Ross impressed with his attack on the ball in the JLT Series and will receive tutelage from Martin, who will miss his first game since round 12 last season, which was, coincidentally against Port Adelaide.
Ross's coach at the Oakleigh Chargers, Leigh Clarke, said the club threw Ross a challenge at the start of last season when they selected him in the seconds for a practice match and his response was outstanding as he ended up winning their best and fairest award.
"He was a super player for us," Clarke said.
"He understands the complexities of the game. He is not just a raging bull. He is very task-oriented so if there is a player between him and the ball they wear the brunt of it."
Hardwick said Martin was apologetic for his actions last week, which saw the AFL Tribunal eventually suspend him for one game for elbowing Giants' defender Adam Kennedy off the ball.
The MRO originally suspended Martin, who is regarded as a ball player, for two matches but the tribunal downgraded the charge from medium to low impact, reducing the penalty by one week.
He was also fined for "flipping the bird" to a Giants' opponent during the match and for striking Matt De Boer, the player who kept him quiet during the match.
"It did genuinely affect him. He's not one of those guys who goes about belting blokes behind the play," Hardwick said.
Martin's suspension has hurt Richmond who are also without skipper Trent Cotchin, forward Jack Riewoldt and defender Alex Rance meaning the Tigers will enter a game without the key quartet for the first time since round three, 2008.
Hardwick sought clarification from the umpires during the week about the treatment of Martin, who has received just one free kick and given away six in the first three games.
He said he was comfortable with the discussion and said umpires, like coaches and players, can have bad games from time to time.
Hardwick said the Tigers understood they were undermanned but the inclusion of Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli would help and the circumstances gave other players a chance to step up.
Richmond decided to make All-Australian midfielder Shane Edwards captain and are taking a positive mindset into the clash.
The coach forecast such challenges arising at the club's season launch before round one when he compared the journey ahead to the one facing climbers of the famous El Capitan in America's Yosemite National Park.
"For the climbers, it’s all about concentrating on what you are doing right here, right now – looking for the correct foothold and the correct ledge to place your fingers in. And more importantly, the backing of your strength as a climber," Hardwick said at the time.
"For us as a team, it’s a similar approach to achieving our goal in 2019 – staying totally focused in the moment and not being distracted by anything else."
On Thursday ahead of the round four clash he was trying to rally the group.
"We are being tested at the moment there is no doubt about it," Hardwick said.
"If we can play our best footy it is good enough to win.
"Sometimes great things happen."
