Frightened to win and unable to resist the opposition, Richmond calls it quits by: Patrick Smith
From: The Australian
July 30, 2012 IN its pomp, Geelong could always find a way to win close games. It was the side's signature. It separated the great from the very good.
At its best, Richmond can somehow find a way to lose. It separates the not-much-chop from the promising.
Richmond has the yips. When you add that psychological burden to a limited playing list, you have a side that regularly loses matches at the death. The Tigers had Saturday's game against Carlton comfortably tucked away deep into the last quarter but lacked the leadership and poise to complete the contract they have with its desperately deprived fans.
A Brock McLean pass aimed at his Carlton teammate Levi Casboult, who was leading from the square, missed its target but found the goals and the lead with 40 seconds remaining. Numb with fear, Richmond was never going to find a way to score in the final, what-might-have-been moments.
Richmond is frightened to win games. The very thought freezes the brain. As gifted as Trent Cotchin and Brett Deledio may be, they are not match-maintainers. No Tiger is. They cannot resist the opposition and blunt its momentum as Geelong's Joel Selwood and Jimmy Bartel can.
So Richmond sits on seven wins from the season and a finals appearance is what it always is with the modern Richmond. Not a dream but a nightmare. Coach Damien Hardwick has not been able to teach his team how matches can be set aside and the last moments played securely and calmly. His post-match demand that the Tigers must play for the jumper or find another home is a hollow threat in the age of free agency.
...
At least the Bombers remain in the contest. It all got a bit too much for the Tigers.
They've called it quits.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/frightened-to-win-and-unable-to-resist-the-opposition-richmond-calls-it-quits/story-e6frg7uo-1226438075353
