Hardwick's post-match media conference / Funny low pressure game in first half

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Dimma just had his post-match presser:

* It was a funny game in the first half. Pressure was low. Unexpected from Melbourne. Because the pressure was low we kind of had too much time. That was tempered in the second half with the rain. Melbourne also tried a few different things early which caught us out and we had to adjust.

* We knew if we let Melbourne play the way they wanted to play we'd be in trouble.

* Our pressure was okay but the game was too open. There were things we liked but also things we didn't. We'll work on those during the week.

* Melbourne are good at defensive stoppages and push numbers back. So it makes it harder to score. We really should have scored more (given our high number of inside F50s).

* I'm fortunate to have the players at VFL level putting pressure on the blokes in the seniors. We also know we have guys that can come in if someone gets injured.

* Nank didn't play seniors as we didn't want to test the groin against Gawn. Nank will be considered for senior call up this week.

* Happy with how Jack and Lynch are jelling. We had a stack of inside 50s so we're getting plenty of shots.

* Looking forward to playing a resurgent Carlton followed by the Eagles and Lions. A real test to show where we're at.

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Watch Dimma's post-match presser here: https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2019-08-03/round-20-hardwick-postmatch

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Richmond led by just three points early in the third quarter before breaking the game open with a decisive burst of four successive goals to effectively ice the contest by the last change.

It would have been over earlier had the Tigers finished off their work better.

"It looked like a Richmond game (in the third term) – forward-half turnovers for that quarter were quite high, a lot of inside 50s," Hardwick said.

"We probably could have scored a few more easier goals. We probably made it a bit more difficult than it could have been. We're normally very good at sharing the ball around, (so) that was probably a bit uncharacteristic tonight."

The fourth-placed Tigers will close out the minor rounds with MCG clashes with an enlivened Carlton, reigning premier West Coast and the improved Brisbane.

"They'll give us a real idea where we're at. We control our own destiny and we get to see where we finish," Hardwick said.

"The competition's in a pretty good space at the moment. There's a lot that are capable of playing some really good footy and beating other sides, and we're probably in that boat."

Hardwick watched the Tigers' entire VFL game on Saturday and was impressed with returning ruckman Toby Nankervis, young midfielder Jack Ross in his return from ankle surgery and mid-season draftee Marlion Pickett in his first game in the yellow and black.

Nankervis, in his third VFL game since an adductor injury, had 20 possessions, seven marks, 34 hitouts and kicked a goal, and is in line to return against the Blues.

"He was terrific. He was probably close to BOG (best-on-ground)," Hardwick said.

"Our medical staff just wanted to make sure he was right, obviously with the (prospect of playing on Melbourne's) Max Gawn. We wanted to make sure he's done enough work to play for the remainder of the home and away [season]. He'll certainly come into calculations next week.

"In saying that, (Ivan) Soldo and Mabs (Mabior Chol) did some really good things against a really good opponent. Gawn was pretty good tonight – he was probably back to his best."

Source: AFL website

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Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said the next three weeks will determine exactly where his team sits in the premiership race.

The 33-point victory over the Demons kept Richmond in fourth spot but only a win behind ladder leader Geelong with the order of the top four up for grabs over the next three weeks.

“We get a resurgent Carlton (next week) which we are looking forward to as they are playing some really good footy,” Hardwick said.

“Then we get West Coast and Brisbane so that will give us a real idea where we are at. We control our own destiny and we get see where we finish.”

After being caught by surprise by Melbourne’s “low pressure” tactics in the first half, the

“The pressure on the game was really low, it was a funny sort of game in the first half and probably not what we were expecting out of Melbourne,” Hardwick said.

“Their pressure was really low and we felt we probably had too much time and rushed a bit than what we would have liked.

“I think after halftime, and with the rain, it probably slowed us down and we got the game more on our terms.”

Source: Herald-Sun