Richmond veteran Chris Newman says Tigers can’t afford to look too far aheadMatt Windley
Herald-Sun
August 18, 2014 RICHMOND fans are already salivating over a potential Round 23 finals decider against Sydney, but veteran Chris Newman says it will all count for nothing if the Tigers don’t defeat St Kilda on Sunday.
Saturday night’s epic win against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, which coach Damien Hardwick described as one of the best he had been involved with at the club, ensures the Tigers, after seven successive victories, are right in the hunt to play finals.
Hardwick’s men must beat the Saints at the MCG and the Swans at ANZ Stadium and hope Adelaide loses to North Melbourne or St Kilda along the way.
But Newman said yesterday that beating a Saints side keen on honouring club legend Lenny Hayes in his last game in Melbourne would be easier said than done.
“It’s exciting to be in the mix, but it means nothing if we don’t get a result next week,” Newman said.
“That’s our challenge now, to have a really good week on the track and prepare for what’s going to be a really tough game.
“It’s funny. We probably don’t really have a right to be talking about finals yet because we haven’t earned our spot. We’re out of the eight; that’s why we have to focus on St Kilda.
“They’re obviously a passionate club and no doubt they’ll be playing on a bit of emotion for Lenny. All of those factors come in to it.”
Percentage may also determine Richmond’s finals fate, especially with West Coast still lurking.
But asked if a potential percentage booster against the struggling Saints would be a consideration this week, former skipper Newman laughed off the suggestion by replying: “I wouldn’t have thought so.”
From the 15-minute mark of the last quarter on Saturday night — when Adelaide had taken a six-point lead after Charlie Cameron’s behind — Richmond kicked 2.4 (16) while holding the Crows scoreless.
The Tigers had 11 of the top-ranked 15 players in that period, according to Champion Data, and despite having more of the ball — 61 possessions to Adelaide’s 36 — won the tackle count 16-13.
“We were headed in the last quarter and for our guys to dig deep was nothing short of outstanding,” Hardwick said.
“It was one of those games that was sort of seesawing the whole way. I’m really pleased not only for our players but for our supporters back home.”
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