“I thought our boys were incredibly brave,coming back from[42] points down against a rampaging Brisbane,” Hardwick said after the game.
“It showed their character,and in fairness probably how much they love Shane Edwards. I thought the significance of this event might have overwhelmed us a little bit at the start but credit where credit is due,I thought Dylan[Grimes] and[Toby Nankervis] Nank got us back on task and delivered the result we were hoping for.”
Hardwick was proud that his team was able to show such resolve in difficult circumstances and keep its season alive in what he believes is one of the greatest seasons he’s ever seen.
Richmond now sit ninth,two points behind St Kilda with three games left in the home-and-away season.
The amazing result was marred by the hamstring injury to co-captain Grimes,which the player himself believes to be a serious one. Grimes was subbed out in the second quarter and replaced by Maurice Rioli.
“I don’t want to speculate,but it’s not great,” Hardwick said. “It’s a little bit challenging and emotional for all of us because he’s such an important player to the fabric of our football club. We hope it’s not too severe ... we’ve got our fingers crossed at this stage.