mbers in cycling, football, surfing, golf and tennis. But in their upbringing, cricket has got a significant head start. My proudest moment as a sports-watching teacher was when they started asking how many Chris Roger

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has slammed a shameful defensive effort from his side, taking a shot at even his best performer Dustin Martin after their 70-point AFL loss to Hawthorn.The Tigers fell away terribly against the premiers on Sunday, conceding just seven goals in three quarters but nine in the final term.A despondent Hardwick said Hawthorns class ultimately told at the MCG, but their own finish was unacceptable.Fans pay good money to come and see us play. For us to finish off those last six minutes the way we did I was incredibly disappointed, he said.You can lose a game but to let the game go as we did ... I thought our defensive efforts were nothing short of shameful.Hardwick didnt single out Martin, who tallied 39 disposals and at times played a lone hand in midfield.But a question about Martins Brownlow Medal chances - not on todays game - prompted the seventh-season coach to question his decision-making.I didnt think he was that good, he said.He handballed too much early and put ourselves under pressure.Dont get me wrong, his ability to get the ball is outstanding (but) sometimes he can probably take a bit of territory instead of distributing the ball.It was a game today not to his usual standard.The Brownlow to me is irrelevant. Wins and losses matter to me. Its probably an event Im required to go to but its not high on my agenda, Ill give you the tip.The Tigers kicked just five goals all match, the clubs lowest return of Hardwicks reign.If Richmond dont improve their intensity, their current tally of seven wins could be their final total for 2016.Theyre likely to start as underdogs for the rest of the season in a challenging end to their miserable campaign.After falling to Hawthorn, Richmond face the rest of the AFLs top four - GWS, Sydney and Geelong - in their final five rounds.Collingwood and red-hot St Kilda round out the taxing month ahead for Hardwick as he ponders how to rejuvenate his side for 2017.AUGUST PAIN FOR TIGERS? RICHMONDS TRICKY RUN-INR19 - GWS Giants (Canberra)R20 - Collingwood (MCG)R21 - Geelong (MCG)R22 - St Kilda (MCG)R23 - Sydney (SCG) Nike Off White 2018 . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Air Max 180 Ultramarine . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.nikeoffwhite.it/nike-off-white-zoom-vaporfly.html . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Nike Off White Zoom Fly . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Air Max 180 Og . Klitschkos management company says the bout will be the Ukrainian fighters 25th world championship fight. The 1.83-meter (6-foot) Leapai defeated the previously unbeaten Denis Boytsov in November to become the WBOs mandatory challenger. Dear Cricket Monthly,My cricket helmet has lasted 25 years but currently sits in a puddle at short leg in the backyard. Its rarely been hit, and really offers only cosmetic protection, but will soon be unusable. The mistake? I gave it to my children, a pair of young cricket lovers who, despite knowing their Waughs from Star Wars, prefer it as an accessory in their lightsabre duels. Sadly, the force of putting things away is still to awaken.Watching the younglings play one day got me thinking about teaching sports watchers. Or, in our house, ensuring they stay on the light side of the passion-versus-dangerous-obsession spectrum. Because the discussions can get intense quite quickly here, both in the backyard and in front of the television. While its important for them to know Kylo Ren from Mitchell Johnson, at what point does the interest level need to be scaled back?See, we already talk in cricket initials and puns. What six-year-old walks into an international airport to see the customs sign for Australian Border Force and immediately thinks of Allan? When working out directions, we might discuss whether to go Marcus North or Tim Southee. After a shower, one of them is often Mitchell Starc-ers. Outside, my boy commentates himself as SPD Smith, and proudly tells me his school friends now copy the lightsabre-style backlift he interpreted from Australias captain.At this stage I hope were at the quirky end of fandom. And its not totally out of family character. I once tried to name a chook Greg Chappell (we didnt have any ducks) and a puppy Billy McDermott. Were not quite in the phase where a cricket cap is part of the pyjama uniform. But my boy does try to trick me with trivia and sometimes my girl joins in.What does the K stand for in MEK Hussey? Easy. How many did GS Chappell make in the second innings at Headingley in 1975? Seriously? Why is Muralis name spelt in different ways? Um, its cultural? Maybe the children are training me.T20 and Snapchat are banned in the house, but books and Tests are encouraged. Its why the players named are more often historical. My boys self-selected top-shelf reading is based around three cricket books and Lego Star Wars guides. Theres the Cricinfo Guide to International Cricket 2009 - the year of his only Ashes tour, aged one - the Wisden Book of Test Cricket 1876-77 to 1977-78, and Richie Benauds 1981-82 Australian season guide. Wisden arrives in May or June and there is brief excitement, but its only a day or two before Cricinfo 2009 reappears beside his pillow.Scorecards are read for fun - and shared. Dad! BM Laird. Not out 3! RAL Massie - 16 WICKETS! Sometimes Im allowed to add context - like, your grandfather insistts he was drunk that day at Lords, or Massie only played five more Tests.dddddddddddd. But mostly its about runs scored and wickets taken. At what age do we have the talk about Statsguru?Watching involves attempting to sit still but is no less exhausting than playing. This is where some parental training already appears beneficial, and particularly rewarding in the long term. Nobody asks whos winning anymore, or stands in front of the television before the final ball (it happened once, during a World Cup final). They know its okay to watch in silence and save their flood of questions for the ads. And now, sometimes, they even tell me to be quiet.But its not just about the enjoyment of spectating for my boy. A fun thing about watching cricket is seeing how people bat and bowl, he says promisingly, before adding that its also a pretty good way to find out a players weaknesses. So hes watching for statistics, strategy and technical disintegration. Are you Steve Waugh in disguise?Of course, its great for our family that theyre cricket fans. But should this level of interest be encouraged or discouraged? We went to watch Australia and New Zealand at the Gabba last year, a first attempt at a proper days spectating after the Australia-Bangladesh World Cup washout. They had been well briefed on the pace of the day, and that there would be no T20 Rocket Man. This was a practical lesson in watching cricket.My girl remembers it being too hot, sending her under the seat for some cool comfort, and later having her view blocked by a tall man. It was my first time watching a Test match and apart from those catastrophes it was a cool game and I had fun, she says. A little older than her brother, she knows about Lisa Sthalekars catch to seal the 2013 World Cup, and how Ellyse Perry chooses cricket mostly over football.I like to think they will select what they want to watch as sports followers. They also know names and numbers in cycling, football, surfing, golf and tennis. But in their upbringing, cricket has got a significant head start. My proudest moment as a sports-watching teacher was when they started asking how many Chris Rogers had made. Now hes gone and they are back to being excited by David Warner. Thats fine - theres a lot to be excited by - but they have an appreciation of a traditional Test batsman.Then I started fearing for them in the playground. Theres no classroom kudos in having Chris Rogers as your last line of argumentative defence. Maybe they better start looking after that rotting helmet.Yours faithfully, Peter English ' ' '