Tigers aim to keep up pressureBy AAP .
3 April 2013 03:34PM ESTRICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has chosen the glass half-full approach to view his AFL side's Round 1 late fadeout going into their clash with St Kilda on Friday night.
The Tigers were the better side for most of their win over Carlton last week, but nearly threw away a 42-point lead as the Blues came at them late to fail by just five.
Richmond struggled to win close matches last season, so the Carlton victory could be seen as either further proof of a maturing team or an outfit unable to close out matches decisively.
Hardwick was happy to run with the positives, and hopes what was on show for two-and-a-half quarters will be what the Tigers unveil early against the Saints at the MCG.
"You can look at it either way. We missed goals. They missed goals. The time's irrelevant," Hardwick said on Wednesday.
"We had more inside-50s, more contested ball, more clearances, so you can make of it what you will.
"Contested ball-wise we were very good for three quarters. We had a bad last quarter.
"So we've just got to make sure we don't take that form into quarter one on Friday night."
Hardwick said he was unlikely to make many changes from his winning side, despite several players including new recruits Aaron Edwards and Chris Knights putting in strong cases for promotion from the reserves.
Hardwick is also mindful of the danger St Kilda pose following their surprise loss to the Gary Ablett-inspired Gold Coast last weekend.
"They're a proud footy club, got some outstanding players. So we're certainly going to have our work cut out," Hardwick said.
"They probably didn't make the most of their chances (against Gold Coast). They had something like 18 inside-50s - just couldn't quite get the result.
"There's no doubt they'll rectify that during the week ... they've certainly got some players - like our players - who were a bit below their expectations.
"So they're going to be a lot better this week than last week."
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2013/04/03/tigers-aim-to-keep-up-pressure/
