Two months ago, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick raised eyebrows in some places -- and hearty guffaws in others -- when he suggested the Tigers current playing list was the best hed had at his disposal.At the time, Richmond had just scored encouraging wins over Sydney and Fremantle -- after their horror start to the season -- so perhaps the burst of over-excitement and optimism could be forgiven.But football analysts less emotionally invested in the Tigers were looking at their squad more objectively and wondering how on earth Hardwick could come to that conclusion.After the Big Five -- Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin, Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt -- the Tiges list falls away as sharply as the British pound after last months Brexit vote. In terms of talent, it has not much more depth than a sidewalk puddle.Now the Tigers sit in 13th place on the ladder with a 7-10 win-loss record, having won one game more than supposed basket-case, Gold Coast.And in a tough five-week stretch to end their campaign, contests against GWS, Geelong, St Kilda and Sydney await.The 2016 season, Hardwicks seventh at the helm, is shaping as another bust.The main complaint from supporters is not just the losses that keep piling up but the teams tedious, indirect style of play. They routinely switch play across half-back, going sideways and backwards. Theres little flair and cause for excitement and Riewoldt, one player capable of getting fans out of their seats, is seemingly encouraged to play up the ground rather than in the goalsquare.Richmonds BigFooty forum -- admittedly not always the repository of all that is rational and level-headed -- is running a poll on whether the club needs a new coach or not. At the moment, the movement for change is running at 82 percent; those supporting Hardwick at 18 percent.For many, the effort in the last quarter against Hawthorn on Sunday was the straw that broke the camels back, the Hawks piling on nine goals to two in the final 30 minutes. Richmonds final score of 5.14 (44) was their lowest in Hardwicks seven seasons in charge.Even the Tigers greatest spruiker, Kevin Bartlett, the games record holder and former coach, said he was dismayed by what he saw at the MCG. He told his SEN radio audience on Monday: The last quarter was like a training drill for Hawthorn: there was no pressure, very little effort, they were kicking sideways and backwards. I was taken aback by the lack of effort.On FoxFootys On the Couch program, another former coach, Robert Walls, was equally bemused by the clubs progress, saying the Big Five players were too sensitive to criticism and not great leaders.Of course, chief executive Brendon Gale and his team have done wonderful things off the field, turning around the clubs finances and getting the membership up beyond 72,000. Even if their decision in March to re-sign Hardwick for a further two years was an absurd misjudgment.But on the field, a state of confusion reigns.Thats evidenced by the muddled messaging coming out of Punt Rd this year.After the Round 3 loss to Adelaide, Hardwick suggested the club needed to take a half step backwards to take two steps forwards. To many that sounded like he was smoothing the way for a rebuild.Six weeks later, on May 27, he was hailing his squad as champions in the making.After Sundays Hawthorn defeat, he called the teams late defensive efforts as nothing short of shameful, and gave his best midfielder this year, Dusty Martin, a clip on the way through.Canning the Tigers has become something of a sport within the AFL commentarial. But, gee, they bring a lot of the ridicule on themselves.If this is indeed the best playing list Hardwick has had at his disposal, we hold grave fear for the clubs -- and his -- short-term future. Swell Cyber Monday . Michell Burger, a woman who lives on an estate next to Pistorius gated community, said she and her husband were awoken by the screams in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14 last year, when Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp by shooting four times through a door in his bathroom. Swell Black Friday . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. http://www.waterbottleblackfriday.com/ . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Hydro Flask Cyber Monday . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Hydro Flask Black Friday Sale . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked.England Netball have confirmed that the 2016 Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final will take place at Londons Copper Box Arena on Saturday May 7. 2016 Grand Final Tickets You can be there with tickets available from £24 via Sky Tickets. The London venue has been a regular location for netball with several Roses internationals and the 2015 Grand Final played at the venue in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.The competitions showpiece final will return to the capital after a successful Grand Final last year - Surrey Storm claiming the honours after a 56-39 victory over Hertfordshire Mavericks.Both of the teams remain in contention this season and are already among the top four bidding for a return to London in May for the final and Vitality Netball Superleague interim general manager Ian Holloway is relishing the season building to a thrilling conclusion. Helen Housbys Manchester Thunder lead the way in the current Superleague, picture courtesy of Steve Porter Once again we are thrilled to take the biggest match in the domeestic game to a fitting venue for what will be an incredible title decider, said Holloway.ddddddddddddWe had a phenomenal crowd watch last years Grand Final and once again we anticipate a sell-out crowd at the Copper Box as one of the most exciting Superleague seasons ever staged comes to a nerve-shredding conclusion. Netball London Live Surrey Storm v Hertfordshire Mavericks wit Sky Tickets At the end of the regular season the top four teams will meet in the semi-finals before the winners go on to battle it out for the title in London on May 7.A thrilling start to the Superleague season has Manchester Thunder and Hertfordshire Mavericks locked together at the top of the table with four wins from four games and the duo clash at the Hertfordshire Sports Village this weekend, while on Monday night you can see a repeat of the 2014 Grand Final when Thunder host the Storm, live on Sky Sports.Tickets are now on sale for the showpiece event in the Vitality Netball Superleague se