'I'm going nowhere', says Wallace - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

'I'm going nowhere', says Wallace

By Guy Hand 22/05/2009 04:21:06 PM Comments (0)

Terry Wallace has vowed to continue as Richmond coach until a scheduled mid-season review, despite allegations that a group of his players want him out.

Wallace refused to confirm or deny whether Tigers captain Chris Newman confronted him and asked him to resign this week on behalf of a group of players disgruntled over his coaching.

It is alleged that a showdown sparked a meeting on Tuesday between the club president Gary March, football manager Craig Cameron, players and coach which led to incorrect reports Wallace had been sacked.

But despite the rumours of player mutiny and the turmoil of the past week, Wallace made it clear he would not be going anywhere.

He said he would lead the Tigers into their AFL clash with Essendon on Saturday night, despite the fact he must lead a player group which appears divided over whether it wants him.

"I will do the job I am asked to do, until I am no longer asked to do it," Wallace said.

"I am not going to break my commitment to Richmond."

Newman was reportedly delegated by some players to approach Wallace and ask him to resign following the club's 1-7 start to the season.

Wallace confirmed conversations had taken place with Newman on Monday, but declined to divulge what they were about.

"Whether they are private conversations after the game on Sunday, whether they are private conversations between me and my captain, whether it's private conversations at our team meeting on Tuesday ... they are private conversations," Wallace said.

"The week started with a non-story which became a story ... people have been reading things into everything all week."

Newman has also declined to comment on what happened at that Monday meeting.

But Wallace insisted Tuesday's meeting had ensured "everyone is on the same page", including the senior players allegedly agitating for his head.

And Wallace defended Newman, saying claims he should quit as skipper because of their meeting were "outrageous" and that he was "rapt with the job he is doing as captain".

"I've got every confidence the relationship with the senior group's fine," Wallace said.

"That's why we had a meeting on Tuesday, and that's why I'm continuing on.

"We resolved everything we needed to on Tuesday, and we move on."

When asked whether fingers were being pointed at Wallace by players during Tuesday's meeting, senior Richmond player Matthew Richardson told Melbourne radio station Vega FM: "Not at all."

"It was a good meeting. That was what it was about, being honest about where we can improve for the rest of the season."

How much effect the club's week-long implosion will have might be found out early in their match against Essendon, who threaten to shred Richmond if they can get their run-and-carry game going early.

But Bombers coach Matthew Knights - a former Richmond captain - said he expected the Tigers to come out with a roar rather than a whimper following their week from hell.

"There might be some club issues but my philosophy on it has been that you're there to play and to go out and perform at your best," he said.

"Once you step out there I think it's irrelevant what's going on at home or behind the scenes."

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