Taranto-Hopper: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure

[AstuteTiger]

‘Positive message’: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure​

Prized recruits Tim Taranto

14

Tim Taranto

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.3

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

4.1

5star

D

17.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

5.0

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

3.0

4star

CL

5.5

5star

D

15.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

and Jacob Hopper

22

Jacob Hopper

Age

27

Ht

187cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.0

5star

K

9.9

4star

HB

11.1

5star

M

2.9

3star

T

4.5

5star

CL

4.3

5star

D

17.6

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

8.9

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.6

5star

CL

4.0

5star

D

18.6

5star

K

8.4

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.8

5star

CL

3.4

5star

told teammates their commitment to chasing a premiership at the Tigers had not wavered as they digested Damien Hardwick’s decision to finish up as Richmond coach.
Both Taranto and Hopper joined the club on seven-year deals in a move the Tigers hoped would relaunch them back into top-four contention quickly under Hardwick.

In good hands: Replacement Richmond coach Andrew McQualter

Andrew Mcqualter

Age

37

Ht

179cm

Wt

74kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

7.2

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.6

5star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.2

3star

chatted with Tim Taranto

14

Tim Taranto

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.3

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

4.1

5star

D

17.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

5.0

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

3.0

4star

CL

5.5

5star

D

15.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

on Tuesday.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES

Hardwick’s presence as coach was part of the appeal Richmond held for the pair as they weighed up their decision to move from the Giants.
Co-captain Dylan Grimes

2

Dylan Grimes

Age

32

Ht

194cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

6.3

2star

HB

5.3

4star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

136.0

2star

D

12.2

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

4.8

3star

M

4.7

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

136.0

2star

D

9.4

3star

K

3.8

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

said the pair got on the front foot as soon as the news was confirmed.

“They came forward and said ‘look, we have the belief that the club is going to win a premiership and that’s what every player is after. I have got as much faith now, and I am as committed now as ever’,” Grimes said.
“It was a really positive message to hear from two players who have made such a big decision to come to our club and commit themselves to the cause.”

Jacob Hopper

22

Jacob Hopper

Age

27

Ht

187cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.0

5star

K

9.9

4star

HB

11.1

5star

M

2.9

3star

T

4.5

5star

CL

4.3

5star

D

17.6

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

8.9

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.6

5star

CL

4.0

5star

D

18.6

5star

K

8.4

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.8

5star

CL

3.4

5star

is out for the medium-term with a calf issue.CREDIT:AFL PHOTOS

Grimes said the pair’s thoughts were conveyed in a general team discussion, impressing the co-captain.
“It was a great sign from two really quality people. To be at a club they have not been around for a particularly long time, which is going through a challenging period … for them to lean in like that showed great leadership,” Grimes said.

Hopper is out with a calf strain, having played eight games in 2023, while Taranto has been one of the Tigers’ best in his first season. He was again among their best in Sunday’s loss to Port Adelaide. Although disappointed not to be coached for longer by Hardwick, the pair are also viewing the decision as an opportunity for them to be at the start of a new Tigers era.

The veteran defender said he was grateful for the contribution Hardwick made to the club and his career. He described Hardwick as “a father figure”, saying it was “a weird feeling” to prepare for a game without him being around but Andrew McQualter

Andrew Mcqualter

Age

37

Ht

179cm

Wt

74kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

7.2

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

3.6

5star

G

0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.2

3star

was an excellent caretaker.
“Footy is pretty ruthless. We had to get ourselves in a position physically and mentally to be able to play against some really good opposition,” Grimes said.
Despite the loss to Port Adelaide which leaves them 15th on the ladder and 10 points outside the eight, Grimes said the team was determined to turn around their form patch. He said McQualter had made it clear in the build-up that they should be “chips in” for this season.

“Normally, when a coach leaves a club is in turmoil, but that wasn’t the case for us,” Grimes said. “There is still a lot of belief.”

‘Positive message’: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure

Richmond recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper got on the front foot with teammates as they considered the ramifications of Damien Hardwick’s decision to depart the club.

www.theage.com.au

 

[captain blood 17]

‘Positive message’: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure​

Prized recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper told teammates their commitment to chasing a premiership at the Tigers had not wavered as they digested Damien Hardwick’s decision to finish up as Richmond coach.
Both Taranto and Hopper joined the club on seven-year deals in a move the Tigers hoped would relaunch them back into top-four contention quickly under Hardwick.

In good hands: Replacement Richmond coach Andrew McQualter chatted with Tim Taranto on Tuesday.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES

Hardwick’s presence as coach was part of the appeal Richmond held for the pair as they weighed up their decision to move from the Giants.
Co-captain Dylan Grimes said the pair got on the front foot as soon as the news was confirmed.

“They came forward and said ‘look, we have the belief that the club is going to win a premiership and that’s what every player is after. I have got as much faith now, and I am as committed now as ever’,” Grimes said.
“It was a really positive message to hear from two players who have made such a big decision to come to our club and commit themselves to the cause.”

Jacob Hopper is out for the medium-term with a calf issue.CREDIT:AFL PHOTOS

Grimes said the pair’s thoughts were conveyed in a general team discussion, impressing the co-captain.
“It was a great sign from two really quality people. To be at a club they have not been around for a particularly long time, which is going through a challenging period … for them to lean in like that showed great leadership,” Grimes said.

Hopper is out with a calf strain, having played eight games in 2023, while Taranto has been one of the Tigers’ best in his first season. He was again among their best in Sunday’s loss to Port Adelaide. Although disappointed not to be coached for longer by Hardwick, the pair are also viewing the decision as an opportunity for them to be at the start of a new Tigers era.

The veteran defender said he was grateful for the contribution Hardwick made to the club and his career. He described Hardwick as “a father figure”, saying it was “a weird feeling” to prepare for a game without him being around but Andrew McQualter was an excellent caretaker.
“Footy is pretty ruthless. We had to get ourselves in a position physically and mentally to be able to play against some really good opposition,” Grimes said.
Despite the loss to Port Adelaide which leaves them 15th on the ladder and 10 points outside the eight, Grimes said the team was determined to turn around their form patch. He said McQualter had made it clear in the build-up that they should be “chips in” for this season.

“Normally, when a coach leaves a club is in turmoil, but that wasn’t the case for us,” Grimes said. “There is still a lot of belief.”

‘Positive message’: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure

Richmond recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper got on the front foot with teammates as they considered the ramifications of Damien Hardwick’s decision to depart the club.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Ralll]

They probably feel embarrassed everyone is apologising to them for the team not succeeding this season.
All the while they look to their property portfolios with 7 year million dollar contracts to play football with a big4 team in Melbourne.
s**t didn't work out like we thought it would.
Good on them for making it clear they're not victims here. This bodes well for their leadership potential and the next few years.

 

[TigerImposter]

They probably feel embarrassed everyone is apologising to them for the team not succeeding this season.
All the while they look to their property portfolios with 7 year million dollar contracts to play football with a big4 team in Melbourne.
s**t didn't work out like we thought it would.
Good on them for making it clear they're not victims here. This bodes well for their leadership potential and the next few years.

Hilarious, but true.

 

[tiger_tough]

Like they have a choice. They're here for 6 more years.

 

[smasha]

A positive article at last.

 

[Football Tragic]

We just need to teach them how best to use their skills while playing our game style. I want Taranto to stop slapping the ball onto the boot as his first option rather than look to handball it out to someone into space or breaking away into space himself. It's the bad habit that's dropping his disposal efficiency and causing his F50 entries to be too shallow and not favour our forwards. Hopper does a very similar thing.

Taranto has improved his overall efficiency by using his hands more, but if he wants to help our ball movement chains through the corridor, he needs to stop kicking it forward indiscriminately.

Great to see the commitment from both players regardless. I really do believe that next year, they will become even better and help us climb our way back into the Top 4.

 

[aislegi]

They probably feel embarrassed everyone is apologising to them for the team not succeeding this season.
All the while they look to their property portfolios with 7 year million dollar contracts to play football with a big4 team in Melbourne.
s**t didn't work out like we thought it would.
Good on them for making it clear they're not victims here. This bodes well for their leadership potential and the next few years.

Moreover, as far off it as we are, the Giants are still probably even further off it

 

[chriso11]

I would trade for Hopper and Taranto if we had to do it again. Even if we are s**t and end up with high picks. You never know how your picks turn out and we’ve signed on 2 genuine A-Graders who still have upside. They are the nucleus of our midfield for the next 7 years. We have time over the coming 2-3 years to get back some early picks and draft some gun talent to complement them. And there will always be some free agents / low cost trades along the way to secure good role players ala grigg, houli, Nank etc

I’d also say you can have high picks coming oit of your backside and it’s no guarantee of success. Look at GWS, GCS, Carlton, etc.. only Melbourne managed to turn their early picks into a competitive side and that’s more thanks to efforts on development, game plan and culture. Talent is one thing, turning into success is another

 

[Tiges1229]

‘Positive message’: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure​

Prized recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper told teammates their commitment to chasing a premiership at the Tigers had not wavered as they digested Damien Hardwick’s decision to finish up as Richmond coach.
Both Taranto and Hopper joined the club on seven-year deals in a move the Tigers hoped would relaunch them back into top-four contention quickly under Hardwick.

In good hands: Replacement Richmond coach Andrew McQualter chatted with Tim Taranto on Tuesday.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES

Hardwick’s presence as coach was part of the appeal Richmond held for the pair as they weighed up their decision to move from the Giants.
Co-captain Dylan Grimes said the pair got on the front foot as soon as the news was confirmed.

“They came forward and said ‘look, we have the belief that the club is going to win a premiership and that’s what every player is after. I have got as much faith now, and I am as committed now as ever’,” Grimes said.
“It was a really positive message to hear from two players who have made such a big decision to come to our club and commit themselves to the cause.”

Jacob Hopper is out for the medium-term with a calf issue.CREDIT:AFL PHOTOS

Grimes said the pair’s thoughts were conveyed in a general team discussion, impressing the co-captain.
“It was a great sign from two really quality people. To be at a club they have not been around for a particularly long time, which is going through a challenging period … for them to lean in like that showed great leadership,” Grimes said.

Hopper is out with a calf strain, having played eight games in 2023, while Taranto has been one of the Tigers’ best in his first season. He was again among their best in Sunday’s loss to Port Adelaide. Although disappointed not to be coached for longer by Hardwick, the pair are also viewing the decision as an opportunity for them to be at the start of a new Tigers era.

The veteran defender said he was grateful for the contribution Hardwick made to the club and his career. He described Hardwick as “a father figure”, saying it was “a weird feeling” to prepare for a game without him being around but Andrew McQualter was an excellent caretaker.
“Footy is pretty ruthless. We had to get ourselves in a position physically and mentally to be able to play against some really good opposition,” Grimes said.
Despite the loss to Port Adelaide which leaves them 15th on the ladder and 10 points outside the eight, Grimes said the team was determined to turn around their form patch. He said McQualter had made it clear in the build-up that they should be “chips in” for this season.

“Normally, when a coach leaves a club is in turmoil, but that wasn’t the case for us,” Grimes said. “There is still a lot of belief.”

‘Positive message’: Prized Tigers recruits all in despite Hardwick departure

Richmond recruits Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper got on the front foot with teammates as they considered the ramifications of Damien Hardwick’s decision to depart the club.

www.theage.com.au

Nek minute asks for a trade to pies