Bring it on, says Dimma Tigers coach wants start
DAMIEN Hardwick would be prepared to take Richmond to an interstate hub such as Queensland in order to reboot the AFL season.
The dual premiership coach admits it has been difficult to navigate training schedules without an official end date for the competition’s coronavirus shutdown in sight.
But he believes the defending premiers could be up and running for competitive matches with as little as two weeks’ serious training.
“As long as everyone’s off the same start point, I think we’ll be OK,” Hardwick told ABC’s Offsiders yesterday.
“I can’t see us going into a three- or four-week training block to start the season. I think our players would (need) two weeks maybe and then get the game up and going.”
The AFL is considering all states and territories as possible bases for isolation hubs as it attempts to restart the season.
Clubs would probably be kept in hubs for a minimum of six weeks, which could consist of a three-week training block and three weeks of matches.
Most states have already declared their interest in hosting a hub, with Queensland firming as a potential base
Overnight rain didn’t stop coronavirusfree the Vanuatu being the only venue in world hosting a competitive final on Saturday, with the staging of the women’s club Twenty20 final. It was won by the Mele Bulls. after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced yesterday some restrictions would be eased from May 2.
“I think we just want to get the game up and going and we’re prepared to do (anything),” Hardwick said of the prospect of moving his team interstate.
“This is me speaking. We haven’t had the real conversation with our players as such because a lot will depend on the AFLPA and their decisionmaking.”
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has told clubs he will be in a position to announce plans for the competition on May 11.
It is in contrast to the rival NRL’s timeline, with rugby league’s premier competition set to resume on May 28.
Hardwick applauded the NRL’s “aspirational-type leadership” in setting a return date but said he understood why the AFL was yet to follow suit.
“As soon as we get that date, that will make things a lot easier and give us a lot more certainty to plan for that,” Hardwick said.
“That’s the one thing we haven’t got at the moment and that’s really challenging from a mental aspect. But from a coaching and playing point of view, we’d love a date as soon as possible. That way we can get started.” on Boxing is set to resume in Nicaragua of Saturday with a televised card in front the capital Managua. a live audience in
Promoter and two-time world champion Rosendo Alvarez said: “Here we don’t fear the coronavirus.” to Poland’s premier soccer league plans restart on May 29 after the Government is decided to ease restrictions. Poland set one of the first countries in Europe to a date to resume a league that was suspended on March 13.