Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says the fact skipper Chris Newman was so demoralised by the AFL loss to West Coast shows the Tigers are on the right path.
After a tough draw in the opening five rounds, Richmond (1-4) face a winnable game against Port Adelaide (1-4) at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
“The great thing I love is seeing their faces after a game,” Hardwick said on Thursday.
“It’s bitter disappointment. I’ve got no doubt it’s a spur in their side that they’ll come out all guns blazing this week.
“You saw Chris at the end of the game. He was demoralised.”
The Tigers have been solid in the past two weeks with 10-point losses to premiers Geelong and unbeaten West Coast.
“Port Adelaide and ourselves are both in similar positions. We’re probably playing better football than our record suggests for both footy clubs,” Hardwick said.
“It’s a big game for both of us.
“The honourable loss for us is a thing of the past. No longer is just being competitive acceptable.
“We’ve got to win football games.”
The Tigers face all eight of last year’s finalists in the first 10 rounds of 2012.
“Our draw doesn’t get any easier,” Hardwick said.
Hardwick, who played in Port’s 2004 premiership side, said he was expecting a tough contest from a proud club.
Star defender Brett Deledio has recovered well from a knock to the knee, Hardwick says.
“We spoke to ‘Tucky’ (Shane Tuck) about trying not to take out our good players’ knees, if possible,” Hardwick joked.
Hardwick admitted Richmond’s form had been frustrating and led to some desk-thumping and the occasional tossing of a phone in the coach’s box.
“I was better (against West Coast). Last week, I think I owe the Geelong people about $15 for a new one,” he said.
“It’s an emotional game but you’ve got to control yourself every now and then. Kids are watching at home.”
John Seabrook
Guest
Richmonds 'composed' style of play against Port, ie. pass backwards when in doubt, worked OK against a struggling team, but I'm not sure it's a workable strategy against the top teams for prolonged periods. Still, it shows they at least have some kind of plan to avoid the dreaded turnover damage that has afflicted them for so long. They appear to be on the right track. Deledio is now in his rightful role to break the lines and pump it forward. If only there was a potent forward line to take advantage of this weapon. In my opinion, he is an automatic inclusion in all the top teams. He should be in his absolute prime now, and the Tigers need to make the most of that.
Mad keen Tiger supporter
Guest
I agree with Nathan, the decision making across half back is frustrating when we often dominate passages of play only to see costly turnovers result in opposition goals. I think the "when in doubt kick long to the boundary" should be drilled in to the half backs. Also I would like to see them move it on quicker to that leading options do not get wasted.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
"The Tigers have been solid in the past two weeks with 10-point losses to premiers Geelong and unbeaten West Coast." The comforting thing about this is that the Cat's game was at Kardinia whilst the Eagles game was at Etihad, so presumably that gives us a better grade :D
colin pearce
Guest
Iam loving the way the tiges are playing to coach. But the decsion making when the pressure is on can be very poor. You would have watch the replay of the eagles game. Their was crucial mistakes in defence & our forward half that the players need to be made aware of & to impove on. Then the tigers will a finals side.