Damien Hardwick mentioned that Royal was on SEN a few days before the game and said that it was a "certainty" the Dees would beat the Tigers.

Richmond used it as ammunition against us.

Silly thing to say on a public forum by Royal.

Does Choco still want to coach? Apparently not:

Tigers get a Royal rev-up before Melbourne win

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has revealed a pre-match radio interview with Melbourne assistant Brian Royal helped fire the Tigers to yesterday's come-from-behind win.

Speaking before the clash at the MCG, Royal said the Demons were a better side and certain to win.

"Oh we'll win, I've got no doubt about that,'' Royal told SEN radio.

He should be sacked

Thanks Brian!

He should be sacked

Of course he should and lets reward the players for their great effort. We are not clutching at straws anywmore we clutch at thin air.

Does Choco still want to coach? Apparently not:

Heard that on the way home last night. Unusual to say such a thing.

Then again I didn't really think it was smart from some of the players last week to be trumpeting the confidence in winning the last 3 rounds either and mentioning finals. Over arrogant in any language and strange given the form of the previous 4-5 weeks.

Maybe they were trying something out mentally...

He should be sacked

Yeah, but only for saying 'Trengrove'.

If Richmond need Brian Royal to pump them up, just shows how bad both our clubs are travelling.

Yes - the MFC needed to stand up against the accusatory 'bruise free footy...' but what ensued was a meek compliance to roll over.

Chris Newman laughed at the issue. The whole public now jump at shadows whenever someone says anything. Fance a bloke being confident there team will win. Who cares! I am sick of hearing generic footy terms in interviews.

I would think most of these are dead in the water.

whoever the new coach is will want his own team.

And this lot have not exactly covered themselves in glory.

Boy, what an inspired appointment he's been...

Boy, what an inspired appointment he's been...

Wellman left us in the lurch at the last minute.

We didn't really have an entire coaching smorgasbord to select from.

Of course he should and lets reward the players for their great effort. We are not clutching at straws anywmore we clutch at thin air.

Indeed. Fair comment.

If Richmond need Brian Royal to pump them up, just shows how bad both our clubs are travelling.

I agree SJX, but in a game that can be measured in centimetres and one-percenters, why give the opposition anything that might be used against you. Totally ill-considered comment by Royal IMO.

He should be sacked

Are you serious or...?

I'd fire him. If you can't acknowledge the ethical obligation you have to your team's preparation for a match, you are not fit for the job. You don't say stuff like that. It's stupid. A war of words never ends well.

Meaningless, in the scheme of things.

Those that think this really makes a difference, don't really understand the nature of the game and motivation.

Well we should have been a certainty.

Meaningless, in the scheme of things.

Those that think this really makes a difference, don't really understand the nature of the game and motivation.

I just want him sacked Gareth. I don't care if he said something wrong or not!

Our assistant coaches are like having facilities at Junction Oval.

You have no real basis to make that judgment.

None whatsoever.

Well we should have been a certainty.

Absolutely true - this whole story is a beat-up. I would much rather a coach (or assistant) predicting a win, than merely "hoping to win more quarters" as was DB's stated objective.

To quote the guys on SEN...

"Chris Newman goes into the pre-game huddle and says " Hey guys - the Melbourne coaches are saying on the radio that they can win the game ......"

You have no real basis to make that judgment.

None whatsoever.

Only basis I have to go on is the fact that whenever a head coach position comes up, and the various asssitnat coaches names are thrown around, we never seem to have any in our box. Names like Leon Cameron, Paul Williams, Neeld, Richardson, Sanderson, Hinkley, etc, all are considered for top jobs, but you never hear the names West, Mahoney, Royal.

The only decent assistant coach we have had recently would have to be Wellman, and he was poached to join his little red and black boys club. Having the chance to see Viney in the media a bit proves to me that he could be a great assistant too (I think he would be a good senior TBH).

I'd be stoked if we lost an assistant coach every couple of seasons becuase they got a senior coach role somewhere else.

But you're right, I have nothing to base that judgement on, just my (outside) observations.

Royal, for instance, was good enough for Ross Lyon when St Kilda made a GF.

West has been linked, albeit tenuously, to the Dogs coaching gig.

Royal, for instance, was good enough for Ross Lyon when St Kilda made a GF.

West has been linked, albeit tenuously, to the Dogs coaching gig.

I think Royal's role as defensive coach is not where he would be best suited. I'm quite sure this is the first time he has had that department, and while they are not on their own, I don't think our defenders have had a great year whatsoever. Is Royal to blame for this or Bailey? Well, the only difference from last year to this year is the Wellman departure and Royal arrival, and I think our backline worked a hell of a lot better last year than this.

What is the source for West and the link to WB apart from the fact he played for them? I strongly doubt he is being considered at all.