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Richmonds half-step back will continue for the rest of the AFL season, with the two strides forward to come next year.The Tigers were widely tipped to snare a top-four berth this season but are 13th on the ladder, four wins outside the eight, with seven rounds to go.Coach Damien Hardwick raised eyebrows after his sides round-three loss to Adelaide when he said the Tigers might need to take a half-step back to go forward after losing three elimination finals in succession.Early hopes Richmond could retool their team on the run and still play finals evaporated as the losses mounted and, with September off the agenda, the coach will continue to give opportunities to the likes of Oleg Markov, Jason Castagna and Liam McBean.Weve always spoken about those kids and weve been really excited about them but they werent ready at the start of the year, Hardwick told reporters on Thursday.We were probably at a stage where we were looking to jump up (the ladder), but thats where that half-step backwards to go two steps forward came into it.The season hasnt gone to plan for us; were well below our expected level of performance. As a coaching and playing group, we accept that and weve got to get better.I think mathematically we can still make (finals) - our focus is still on winning games - but its also about giving the side a springboard into 2017.The futures of key forward Ty Vickery and speedy defender Chris Yarran remain key issues as the Tigers plan for success.Vickery is languishing in the VFL but, while he might be out of form, he isnt out of favour.Im a big fan of Tys ... he can play, Hardwick said when quizzed on Vickerys future.Yarran returned to the club a fortnight ago after taking leave to seek treatment for a mental health issue.Calf and foot injuries have kept the former Carlton star sidelined all season and Hardwick remains unsure if hell make his debut for the club in 2016.Hell just keep working through that (rehab), he said.Hes missed a significant amount of training and, when hes right to play, hes right to play.When that is? Were not to sure at this stage. But were just here to support ... hes certainly an important player going forward.Richmond take on Essendon on Saturday at the MCG, with onballer Shaun Grigg returning from a minor knee injury at the expense of Reece Conca.Tiger Williams Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Alec Martinez Jersey . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. http://www.kingsauthentic.com/authentic-drew-doughty-kings-jersey/ .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Jonathan Quick Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Dave Taylor Jersey . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.Many have wondered why Alabama allowed one player to transfer to another SEC school recently but wont let Maurice Smith do it.The school says the situations are different, but a report muddies the waters.The mother of Smith, a reserve defensive back, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week that Alabama coach Nick Saban is blocking her son from transferring to Georgia.After last season ended, Alabama did not block the transfer of wideout Chris Black to Missouri, also an SEC school.While it is understandable that questions are being asked about similarities regarding a situation involving another former football student-athlete transferring to an SEC institution, that instance occurred only because of unique circumstances, Alabama said in a statement Thursday.The student-athlete [Black] elected to have surgery in the middle of the season and left the program. Because of the timing of his departure, his scholarship was not renewed, and he requested to use the graduate transfer exception through the SEC. Our decision in this situation to support the SEC waiver was the exception and not the rule.We adhere to the SEC and institutional policies regarding issues of this manner. Waivers are not provided without compelling circumstances that present clear non-athletics reasons for the transfer. We remain happy to assist Maurice to enable a transfer to any non-SEC school, and have been doing everything requested regarding that throughout this process.Saban addressed the situation after practice and said Smith had opportunities to go to schools outside the SEC.I know theres a lot of talk out there and interest in the Maurice Smith deal, Saban said. Nothing has changed. We support the SEC rule of not granting guys release to go to other SEC schools. It has been our policy here not to do that unless there was a special circumstance.Saban declined to comment when asked if he felt there was a chance that Smith could wind up at Georgia.Blacks season ended at midseason by an ankle injury that required surgery. However, AL.com cited sources Thursday as saying that Black was actually granted his release because off a technicality.dddddddddddd A school has seven days to respond to a players request to transfer. If it misses the deadline, the player is granted a full release and can play at any school. Black requested his release during Alabamas busy run-up to the LSU game in November, and the request was lost in the shuffle, AL.com reported.In mid-June, AL.com reported that Smith was seeking to leave as a graduate transfer, which would make him eligible to play immediately at another school.He wants to go to Georgia. Period, Samyra Smith told the AJC. Thats where he wants to go.She added: The university is continuing to be resistant to any request to release my son. Thats where we are. In [Sabans] mind, the best decision is for him to stay here. And he doesnt think anything other than that is best for the kid.At media days, Saban said he and the staff had told Smith that he would be a significant contributor this season if he stayed. Alabama opened camp Wednesday.We have told him, Because we support the SEC rule, it would not be in your best interest to have to sit out. If you want to go someplace else [outside the SEC], wed be glad to help you do that, Saban said.Samyra Smith asked the AJC, So what is it? Is it really about my son, or is it about Kirby Smart and Nick Saban?Smart, who is in his first year as head coach at Georgia, served as Sabans defensive coordinator at Alabama from 2008 to 2015.I dont know what it is, she said. You just had a player leave, Chris Black, and hes at an SEC school, Mizzou. So dont tell me its about a violation of rules. I can read you the rules. I understand them well. Its not a violation of rules, or else the SEC wouldve stopped it, the commissioner wouldve stopped it. But its allowed.Georgia adheres to the same conference transfer rule. The Bulldogs wouldnt allow?running back A.J. Turman to transfer to Miami, where former Georgia coach Mark Richt has taken over.Information from ESPNs Alex Scarborough and The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '