Caretaker McQualter able to take reins at Tigers

Caretaker Andrew McQualter hasn’t even considered whether or not he’ll throw his hat within the ring to teach Richmond full-time as he makes an attempt to refocus the Tigers for his or her conflict with Port Adelaide.

Former St Kilda and Gold Coast participant McQualter will lead Richmond till the tip of the season following three-time premiership winner Damien Hardwick’s shock departure.

McQualter has labored at Punt Street for near a decade however would not be drawn on whether or not he’ll push to be Hardwick’s successor.

“I have never even had time to consider it,” McQualter informed reporters on Friday.

“In the intervening time we’re simply coping with this week and making an attempt to arrange the gamers for the sport.”

McQualter was adamant Richmond had shortly moved on to Sunday’s match on the MCG.

“It was a loopy 48 hours,” he mentioned.

“We made that complete day about (Hardwick) and as footy golf equipment do, they transfer on fairly shortly, so we received again to work on Tuesday and began planning for Port Adelaide.

“It really wasn’t a lot of a problem in any respect (to refocus the gamers). The gamers have been unbelievable with their power this week.

“It is fairly clear that we have nonetheless received perception in the best way we play.

“The group has been excellent. The leaders have been excellent and it hasn’t been as much as us to drive a lot of that power to be sincere.”

Hardwick known as McQualter to inform him he was stepping down and informed the brand new interim boss to “be your self”.

“It is just a little bit bittersweet – the entire week’s been,” he mentioned.

“We by no means wish to see Dimma depart in these circumstances however I’ve simply been actually grateful for the chance.

“We have got an unimaginable teaching group so it isn’t nearly me. We have got a gaggle that is actually skilled and we’re simply going to batten down the hatches and do it collectively.”

The 36-year-old mentioned he’d knocked again Ross Lyon’s method to hitch his St Kilda teaching employees as he believed Richmond may nonetheless be aggressive.

McQualter performed with Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia at Gold Coast whereas he beforehand performed VFL with Richmond, which alongside together with his prolonged tenure as an assistant made the transition extra seamless.

“In a method I’ve had relationships with these guys, significantly the older ones, you are speaking about 10 years,” he mentioned.

“So they have been extremely supportive of me in this system and we’re simply wanting ahead to attending to work.”

Defender Nick Vlastuin (corked leg) wasn’t at essential coaching on Friday and was later dominated out.

Tylar Younger and Ben Miller return, whereas substitute Judson Clarke and Thomson Dow had been omitted.

Daniel Rioli left the observe early and was later restricted to strolling laps and run-throughs however has been cleared to play.

Australian Related Press