Hardwick's post-game presser

[one-eyed]

Dimma's presser:

* Gave away undisciplined frees and 50s in the last half of the 2nd that cost us goals. Really disappointing for that to rear its ugly again especially on the big stage.

* Reporter brought up Dimma saying at half-time the umps were 'trigger happy'. Dimma said games are umpired a certain way. Should let them play. Didn't want to comment on the Brisbane goal review as the ball travelled 40m anyway.

* Brisbane defenders are long spoilers which take out small forwards out of the game. We tried to adjust.

* Brisbane played better and deserved to win.

* Lots of things we can learn from. We see a loss as a gift. We'll go away an work on what we need to get better at.

* Got belted in contested F50 ball by 12. Didn't execute our way. Their system beat our system.

* We blasted out of back half whereas they were more controlled. Another learning.

* We didn't get scoreboard damage. We both absorbed the other's momentum but they were better.

* We fumbled and bumbled all night. Most of our chains had an error. Half-chances you can't afford not to take in a final.

* Lacked polish inside 50. Bolton nearly goal; an open Jack Graham ignored; a dropped mark.

* Apologised for being late to the national anthem. Completely forgot. Summed up our night.

[Diocletian]

oh look....

[one-eyed]

Lack of discipline riles Hardwick as Tigers nominate Metricon as semi-final venue

Peter Ryan
The Age
October 3, 2020

Richmond hope to play their must win semi-final at Metricon Stadium with Tom Lynch back in the team after Damien Hardwick bemoaned both the style of umpiring and his side's lack of discipline after the Tigers' 15-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.

It was Richmond's first loss to Brisbane since 2009 and occurred after the Lions grabbed the momentum of the match when Richmond conceded two 50-metre penalties that allowed star midfielder Lachie Neale to move 100 metres towards goal just before half-time.

Neale kicked the goal to stretch the lead to 13 points and Richmond never drew closer than eight points for the rest of the match.

Hardwick was furious at his players for conceding that penalty - with Shai Bolton and Marlion Pickett the culprits - and admitted the penalty was a critical moment in determining the result.

"We have got to get better in that part of the game," Hardwick said.

"Every now and then it rears its ugly head and unfortunately it was on the big stage...so really disappointing."

In some ways it was typical of Richmond's season that has been beset by dramas off the field but Hardwick also suggested that the umpires inability to allow for the intensity of a final didn't help.

Having told Fox Footy in a half-time interview that the umpires were "trigger-happy" he said they would be better off letting the game flow.

"At the end of the day the game is umpired in a certain way. It's a final. Let them play. It's for the players to play," Hardwick said.

However he did concede Richmond had to wear the blame too.

"We gave away undisciplined free kicks in the back end of that second quarter and the reality is that was the difference in the game," Hardwick said.

"The players know. They understand. It's a volatile game. Players are going to get angry."

Eventually Hardwick became more philosophical acknowledging that the Lions were too good.

"I thought they played very well tonight they deserved to win," Hardwick said.

"Their system beat ours tonight."

Despite nominating Metricon Stadium, where they will meet either St Kilda or the Western Bulldogs, the AFL will decide where the Tigers play the final although Richmond's preference will be a significant factor in the decision.

Hardwick thinks they can regroup and have a serious tilt at the flag despite needing to win their next three matches, which would include a trip to Adelaide against Port Adelaide if they were to win next week.

"Obstacle [creates] opportunity. For us it is all about the growth we can take out of the game," Hardwick said.

"We look at a loss as a gift as funny as that may seem. We will get to work and there are a couple of things that we can take out of the game that will certainly get us better for next week's opponent."

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/lack-of-discipline-riles-hardwick-as-tigers-nominate-metricon-as-semi-final-venue-20201002-p561m4.html