Richmond coach Damien Hardwick isn’t perturbed by the reigning premiers’ inability to win outside Melbourne this AFL season.
Round 17 featured the ladder-leading Tigers’ fourth loss of the year, with GWS prevailing by two points at Spotless Stadium.
The visitors kicked four of the final five goals on Saturday night, but couldn’t cap a remarkable final-quarter comeback with a match-winner.
Richmond have suffered two defeats at Adelaide Oval this year, while West Coast smacked them by 47 points in Perth.
“You guys make that a bigger deal than what we do, to be fair,” Hardwick said, when asked about the club’s 0-4 record outside Victoria in 2018.
“It’s always hard to win interstate, that’s life.
“We win a lot of games at the G’, that’s our home ground.
“We play some pretty good sides away, GWS are a good side.
“You can look at the current ladder, but that’s not a true reflection of where GWS are at.”
The good news for Hardwick is his side may only have to fly out of Melbourne airport once more this season, when they tackle Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round 21.
All of the Tigers’ finals will be at the MCG if they finish in the top two and keep winning.
Richmond boast a 17-match winning steak at the MCG, equalling the venue record at the home of football that was set by Melbourne in the 1950s.
“All I’m worried about is the Saints next week on a short break,” Hardwick said, when the subject of September was raised in his post-match press conference.
“We look forward to that opportunity and expect to play a bit better.”
Hardwick lamented his side’s inaccurate goal-kicking against the Giants, which hit a low point when they registered 0.5 in the third quarter.
It was the Tigers’ first goal-less quarter in over a year.
“We did some things really well … but we just couldn’t seem to capitalise on our dominant patches like they did,” Hardwick said.
RICHMOND’S MISERABLE RECORD OUTSIDE MELBOURNE
R2: 36-point loss to Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
R9: 37-point loss to West Coast at Optus Stadium
R12: 14-point loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
R17: 2-point loss to GWS at Spotless Stadium.
Davico
Roar Pro
4 of their "Away games" have been played at their home ground including against a team whose "home ground" is NOT the MCG!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It is particularly sad when it is from supporters who's sides can't qualify as it really is just sour grapes trying to find some kind of negative that makes them feel better about their own sorry plight.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
‘Could drop every away game’ and still finish top of the ladder you mean.
Neil from Warrandyte
Roar Rookie
Maybe so Peter, but it’s fun to hear the envy from opposition supporters who crave our recent success and are clutching at straws to magnify any perceived flaws. Kind of reassures you that you’re in a better space then they are.
RT
Roar Rookie
No he doesn't..if they finish top 2 and win their first final. Do you have a problem with that? As for whinging I can think of someone who whinges a lot more. Besides the media asked the question knowing about the poor decisions but as usual Hardwick stated how hard umpiring is and that the umpires do an outstanding job. You should look behind the headlines Angela.
RT
Roar Rookie
Never a truer word spoken.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I remember way back in 1990 they said that about the Pies flag and they were probably right as the Hawks got hammered by injury in 1990, letting us slip in for a cheap flag in between Hawk flags with a solid but not exciting list. The thing is you simply don't care when you win a flag. Well I don't anyway. In the unlikely event the Pies make this years GF and let's say Dusty, Cotch, Rance and Jack all get injured out of the game in the first qtr, then the umps have a free kick count in the Pies favour of 24-5, the wind changes direction each qtr to our advantage and Dimma is subbed out with an appendix, who cares? A flag is a flag and any talk of it being a soft flag or the "worst premiership side in history" is all just hot air rubbish. Take it from this long suffering Pies supporter, you take your flag and run with it and barring that wonky bounce in 2010, the Saints would have had that flag and Milne a premiership player. Fact is, Tigers are the 2017 premier and nothing takes away from that regardless of any of the rubbish talk.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
If they lose one more,Pies or Cats most likely,they need the Eagles to drop one too
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Gotta agree, Don. Disappointing to lose but a cracker of a game! Some people let their resentment get in the way of a more considered opinion. Sad, really.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Who's really boohooing, dude? My money's on you!
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
No.1 in defence, no.2 in attack . . . I don't think Dimma needs to be concerned about your bitter musings.
Dankswonderelixir
Guest
Glad someone else can see it. Maybe boohoo Hardwick will realise when he watches the review tapes how much his team gets away with and will learn to shut up when they lose about umpires.
ed
Guest
They could lost all away games and it wouldn't affect their finals chances
Pelican
Guest
I think the umpires favoured Richmond. Especially with holding the ball and incorrect disposal.
Basil
Guest
He’s not sweating on away woes because it does not matter. They could drop every away game yet being MCG tenants will get the most important games at home.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Losing once away, no big deal. But all four? Losing last year in Adelaide, and again this year, to last years runner-up! I think Hardwick is starting to realise just how fake his premiership was. All jokes aside, non-MCG tenant clubs will need to develop game plans far superior to their rivals. It's a handicap handed to them and one they should relish. MCG tenants will have to live in the ever-growing AFL world that continues to question their validity of success, especially on Grand Final day. In some ways that's harder to live with. Hardwick, deep down — along with many other Tiger's supporters — will realise his team probably wasn't the best in 2017. It's not fair on him; a man who probably wants to test his skill and execution in an uncompromising environment. At least he has acknowledged how hard it is to win interstate. That's a small step in recognising the adversity some clubs face during The Big Dance.
Angela
Guest
'Richmond coach Damien Hardwick isn’t perturbed by the reigning premiers’ inability to win outside Melbourne this AFL season.' Not something he has to worry about really. Note that he has his usual whinge about the umpiring - diddums
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough too. One straight kick and they win. The away ground was no factor...just an idea of a statistician who hasn't bothered to think about the game that was played.
terry
Guest
even though being a tiger supporter I though that the tigers got a crummy deal from the umps. but then the giants didn't fair much better couldn't believe some of the decisions they come up with must be half way again and they come up with their own decisions and confuse everybody I am sure they have a plan at the start of the year then goes out the door mid year wish they just stick with the plan and stay with it