CLOSE BUT NO CIGARMark Robinson - The Tackle
Herald-Sun
April 30, 2012They might be the best 1-4 side we've seen for some time, but it doesn't translate to wins.
The problem is the Tigers don't know yet how to win the close ones.
They had a chance to draw level with Carlton in the final quarter. They let the Pies off the leash for 10 minutes. They failed at Geelong. And yesterday let the Eagles go home undefeated to their fortress.
The Tigers don't yet have the composure at the death to make right decisions or execute the right skill, a quality that separates good teams from so-so teams, and good players from great players.
In Adelaide, Graham Johncock kicked the huge goal from 55m-plus in the final quarter. It was a high-pressure moment.
At Etihad, Jack Riewoldt and Brett Deledio missed two last-quarter goals. They were game-changing misses in the final minutes. One of them had to make it. Sport is about victory and defeat, and in that are moments that change destiny and belief.
The Tigers had two of them and blew them.
Riewoldt was already under the pump. Wayne Carey had a crack on the day of the game, so did David King. Their commentary was in his face.
Riewoldt should've kicked the goal with three minutes to play, and he should've found a teammate when he went inside 50 minutes earlier. Instead, Gaff marked and the pressure was relieved.
Deledio, who hurt his knee earlier in the game and who is a genuine star in the team, had a crack from 50m. He pulled it left.
Riewoldt and Deledio didn't lose the game, it's just that they didn't win it when they had their opportunities.
It's frustrating for them, the coach and the fans. The young defence is coping, the midfield can be awesome when they are up as they were yesterday, and the three key forwards - Riewoldt, Miller and Vickery - kicked seven of 14 goals.
But mostly always it's the ''moments'' that count in tight games.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/expert-opinion/just-too-hard-for-hawks/story-fn5937w8-1226342114993
