On the eve of the AFL Grand Final, the coaches of both participating teams took time to reflect on an incredible 2020 season
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and Geelong coach Chris Scott have seen their teams face unique challenges on and off the pitch this year, including having to spend months away from home in AFL centers
Hardwick says he never doubted his club’s culture during a tough campaign that left them with a win away from a third AFL Premier post in four seasons
The Tigers suffered one of the biggest scandals of the 2020 season when young players Sydney Stack and Callum Coleman-Jones were banned from disgraced Queensland last month for breaking return-to-play protocols
Other hurdles included allegations of inappropriate touching between teammates during the post-win song, controversies featuring Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin, both of whom were eliminated, and a review of Tom Lynch for a series of incidents which caused close scrutiny by match review officials
But the Tigers have held firm on the pitch and find themselves very close favorites to beat Geelong in the two teams’ first grand final in more than half a century
Both teams are almost at full strength despite the tough season schedule and are expected to remain unchanged after winning their last two matches in the rebound of the final qualifying defeats
« The only thing we are proud of is our culture and the way we behave as an organization, » said Hardwick
« The only thing you can always say is that your organization is really defined by these bumps
« It’s easy when the road is gentle and you can just sit above the water, but you learn a lot about yourself and your people when times are tough
« We went to work, we were disappointed, we accepted our responsibilities, but we learned some along the way »
Richmond and Geelong spent well over 100 days in interstate hubs to end the season in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic
The Cats left Victoria for Sydney in July before a three-week stint in Perth on their way to Queensland, where they were based on the Gold Coast
Several Geelong and Richmond players with families share accommodation at Royal Pines, while the bulk of their travel groups are based in separate hubs a few miles away
« It was very, very difficult to predict when we hopped on a plane to Sydney over 100 days ago that we were still going to be away from home in time for the grand finale, » said the coach of the Cats Chris Scott
« The teams, players and people who just put one step in front of the other tend to be the ones who kind of kept everything in perspective best »
Richmond was due to travel to Brisbane on Friday night as they treat the grand final as an away game, while Geelong will make the hour-long journey on game day
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News from around the world – AU – Ahead of the AFL Grand Final, Hardwick and Scott reflect on an eventful 2020 season
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
