Keep the faith: Hardwickrichmondfc.com.au
By Mike Rogers 11:24 PM Sat 10 April, 2010RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has urged Tigers fans to keep the faith after his side's third successive heavy loss in 2010.
The winless Tigers were roundly thumped by the Swans in the first half, conceding 10 goals and booting just one of their own.
But they regrouped at half time and rallied to almost break even with the home side in the second half, eventually losing by 55 points.
"There's obviously some work for us to do … we've got a young developing forward line and we always knew that was going to be our achilles heel somewhat this year," Hardwick said.
"The positive for us is that we got the ball inside 50 a lot more and we've just got to make sure we can manufacture some shots from here on in."
Jack Riewoldt was one of Richmond's second-half success stories, presenting tirelessly and finishing with three goals for his efforts.
Hardwick said the Tigers' forward line would remain a work in progress until young key forwards such as Ben Griffiths and David Astbury could step up to senior level.
"We've just got to wait until those boys are ready," he said.
"When they come in, then Jack and Mitch will play their normal roles, probably as a third and fourth forward, because at the moment we're probably asking them to play outside their weight division."
Despite Hardwick's positive post-game demeanour, he said club insiders were thoroughly aware of the improvement required to compete consistently at senior level.
"The guys have made some really good inroads and tonight was another step forward," he said.
"Every time we go out there, we learn something about this group and how they play. We're under no illusions as to how far we are back and we know we've got a long way to go."
Richmond faces Melbourne at the MCG in round four and Hardwick batted away suggestions that it would be his side's best chance for a win in several weeks.
"Next week, people will build it up however they want but for us, it's another chance for our players to learn and implement the game plan and the structures we're after," he said.
In injury news, Relton Roberts will be assessed this week after being concussed in the final term.
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