Dimma's post-match presser:
VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2017-04-16/round-4-hardwick-postmatch--------------------------------------------------------
'Second-tier' Tigers get the job done for Dimma AFL.com.au
16 April 2017RICHMOND may be 4-0 for the first time since 1995, but coach Damien Hardwick is not entirely happy with his team's performance.
The Tigers were far from convincing in their 52-point victory over the Brisbane Lions, interspersing long periods of errors with flashes of brilliance.
Hardwick thought it was only an "OK-type performance", but after a comparatively quiet game from gun Dustin Martin (16 disposals), it was a promising sign that the team did not have to depend on their stars.
"If you said to me yesterday we would win by 50-odd points I'd take it, but we probably played in spits and spurts," Hardwick said.
"We looked good at stages and then we were inconsistent at stages. We're happy with the win, don't get me wrong, but we're looking to play a little better than that next week."
"The great thing I love as a coach is that we don't rely on – probably as we did in years previous – the same players getting kicks and kicking goals.
"I don't like the term 'second-tier' but they're very important players for us to get consistently better, so I'm really happy with those guys and how they've gone about it."
The Tigers' young forwards put in another promising performance, with Jason Castagna (four goals, 16 disposals), Daniel Rioli (two goals) and Daniel Butler (one goal and 14 touches) causing havoc inside 50.
Hardwick said he's happy with the new-look forward line's efforts after the first month, with leader Jack Riewoldt also having his best game for the year with four goals.
"They're going to be inconsistent at times, but we're pleased as a package [that] they're hitting the scoreboard.
"But more importantly, defensively they're causing the opposition an enormous amount of grief."
Richmond sits second on the ladder with one game remaining for the round, and now turns its attention to Melbourne, a bogey team in recent times.
The Tigers can sometimes be their own worst enemy with their disposal and decision-making, an issue Hardwick is keen not to repeat against the Demons.
"I think on tonight's performance we saw when we play our best we're very dangerous, but we can also hurt ourselves at various stages.
"We're four rounds into a long season. We just need to keep our eye on the ball and we haven't beaten Melbourne for the last three years, so that'll certainly be my focus."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-16/secondtier-tigers-get-the-job-done-for-dimma