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http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2015-07-10/round-15-hardwick-postmatch--------------------------------------------------
Richmond slowly ground Carlton down at the MCG in a contest plagued by poor skill going inside 50m. The Tigers had 52 inside 50s for only 10 goals, while the Blues made a catalogue of clangers.
But Hardwick was delighted his side was finding ways to win.
“It’s really important we set ourselves for these games because previously, at various stages 12 months or 24 months ago, if we aren’t playing our best we don’t win, but the group has moved forward enormously,” he said.
“You look at the last 25 games we’ve played, we’ve won a lot. We’re nowhere near playing our best at the moment, we understand that, but we’re winning.
“We’re not playing our best footy, but we just keep ticking that win box. Probably the maturity of our group starts to understand that we do’t have to be playing our best to win.
“It wasn’t pretty at all, but we take the win and we move on.”
The umpires paid 55 free kicks in a scrappy game, but it was a marking decision that baffled many, with Matthew Kreuzer somehow denied a terrific contested mark inside 50m over Nick Vlastuin when the Blues were pressing.
“I thought Kreuzer was probably a bit stiff on that one. It was a pretty important stage of the game too,” Hardwick said.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/shane-edwards-suffers-possible-broken-leg-will-have-scans-after-ugly-win-over-carlton/story-fndv8t7m-1227437599063---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shane Edwards' absence was felt in the final three quarters on Friday night as Richmond ground out an ugly win, failing to convert forward entries into scores.
"We ended up with 13 marks inside 50 but I think we had six in the last quarter when the game opened up a little bit," Hardwick said.
"You work hard to get the ball there, but if you don't finish the ball just comes back the other way.
"To have 52 entries inside 50 and only kick 10 goals, it's not good enough. We've just got to work on that.
Shane Edwards looks set for a stint on the sidelines after injuring his right leg. Picture: AFL Media
"It wasn't pretty at all, but we take the win and we move on."
Hardwick said it was a sign of the Tigers' maturity that they could play below their best and still win, having now won seven of their past eight games to sit fifth on the ladder.
"Twelve months or 24 months ago, if we're not playing our best footy we don't win," he said.
"If you look at the last 25 games we've played, we've won a lot (17 games).
"We're nowhere near playing our best at the moment, we understand that, but we're winning. We've got a lot of improvement in us."
Hardwick said Ty Vickery's snapped tooth had likely been stuck in his mouthguard, but the coach hadn't seen the tall forward's bump on Michael Jamison that could land him in trouble with the Match Review Panel.
Vickery bumped an unsuspecting Jamison off the ball, prompting an unexpected clash of heads that resulted in Jamison being subbed off with concussion.
At the other end of the ground, star defender Alex Rance was at his best on Friday night, but Hardwick played down the All Australian's influence.
"He was very good defensively, but offensively he probably hurt us a little bit," he said.
"He was complaining with me after the game that I moved him away from the play at various stages.
"But put it this way, if he didn't play the first half we would probably have been behind."
Rance had 18 possessions and eight marks in the first half but added just four disposals in the second half.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-10/tigers-fear-edwards-break
