Dimma's presser today:
VIDEO:
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/2017-05-18/hardwick-press-conference-may-18------------------------------------
Tigers regain Prestia, lose Butler in AFLSBS
18 May 2017Richmond will welcome back in-form midfielder Dion Prestia as they try to crack a three-game AFL losing streak.
But emerging forward Dan Butler has a groin complaint and will miss Saturday's tough away assignment against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.
The Tigers have had plenty to ponder in the wake of their last-gasp loss to Fremantle, which continued a trend of narrow misses.
While all the focus has been on what they did, didn't do and should have done in the last 20 seconds, they also did not play well for much of the game.
"We did some things incredibly well to get ourselves back into the game, but then the second part of that, saving the game, we probably didn't get right," coach Damien Hardwick said.
"Eighty per cent of the game, our fundamentals weren't up to scratch."
Hardwick added that while his team also lost to the Western Bulldogs by less than a goal the week before, the circumstances were different.
He said short periods in games were costing them.
"We probably look at it a little bit more micro even than that (quarters)- there's a period in the game, a 10-minute block, (when) we're probably falling down," he said.
He remains upbeat, saying their best can beat anyone.
They will certainly need to bring their A-game this weekend, given the Giants' abilities.
"I've been incredibly impressed by our guys' resilience and their ability to compete for long periods,"' Hardwick said.
"I certainly look at the glass as half-full.
"Our best footy is still in front of us as well.
"We know our best footy is capable of beating anyone - we're incredibly confident with that."
He said last year's loss to the Giants felt much more than a season ago given Richmond's transformation.
"The back-end of last year, it feels like three years ago ... completely different sides," he said.
Prestia has missed two games with hamstring soreness and Hardwick said it was a conservative decision.
"We'd rather make sure we get him back and he doesn't miss three or four," Hardwick said.
Toby Greene returns from suspension and not surprisingly, Hardwick likes the way the Giants player attacks the game.
Hardwick was also notorious for having white-line fever during his playing career.
"I love players like Toby, because they play on the edge," he said.
"It would have been handy (for him) to get another week - he probably deserved it, from my point of view."
Meanwhile, Hardwick dismissed a report that Richmond have spoken to the manager of Brisbane's Josh Schache, saying that is list management and not his priority mid-season.
He also was unconcerned at talk that Dustin Martin's manager is "shopping" him to other clubs.
"We're happy with where it's at ... we love Dustin, Dustin loves us," Hardwick said of the upcoming free agent.
"Where that takes us, we'll find out."
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/05/18/tigers-regain-prestia-lose-butler-afl
