The Tigers' fade a habit they must break Martin Blake
The Age
July 31, 2012 WHO'D be a Richmond supporter? Three consecutive defeats by less than a goal will test the patience of any fan. It has happened just eight times in AFL-VFL history.
But it gets worse. Richmond fans need only look at the AFL ladder to see their team a disappointing 12th, out of the finals race even if it remains a mathematical possibility. They will note that Sydney (1st) and Hawthorn (2nd) are on eight-game winning streaks. They will also note that Richmond beat both those teams - and comfortably. The Tigers' best is very good, which makes the frustration stronger.
It is a weird old season and Richmond's result is testament to that. Its season is about near-misses and failure to show poise under pressure. It has cost the Tigers a finals berth.
Of its 18 games this season, eight could be constituted as having been ''close'' - that is, a margin of two goals or less. The Tigers won two - against St Kilda in round 10 and Greater Western Sydney in round 12 - but lost six of those.
Give Damien Hardwick's team a 50-50 split, another two wins, and they are still vying for a finals berth. That's how fine the line is. Strip away the emotion, and they have not been good enough in the clutch, a fact that is acknowledged by Hardwick.
Paul Roos' famous commentary on the Tigers' loss to Gold Coast three weeks ago - ''the worst 50 seconds of football in history'' - is one thing, but the signs were there earlier.
Against West Coast in round five, the Tigers were within a kick in the last two minutes at Etihad Stadium, but conceded late goals to Jack Darling and Scott Selwood in the goal mouth too easily, both from handball-receives.
Against Geelong in round four, they were on the cusp of a season-shaping win, down by two points midway through the final quarter when Allen Christensen conjured a fine goal. Geelong's senior men went to another level and ground out the final few minutes.
It's not about desire. Anyone who saw Dustin Martin run 30 metres and dive full length to smother on Saturday night, or Jayden Post almost have his head kicked off making a smother knows that the want is there. These acts occurred when the heat was on, as did Brett Deledio's breathtaking final surge forward.
But it is another matter to remain calm and well organised in Closing Time. Just ask golfer Adam Scott, whose fade-out cost him a British Open recently. ''That [Scott] is a perfect example,'' said former Tiger Nathan Brown, who covered the Carlton game on radio. ''You can't teach calmness under pressure.''
Actually, the Tigers have done it before. Against St Kilda in round 10, Jack Riewoldt found two late goals out the back of a zone, and gave Brandon Ellis another. That time it was the Saints losing their structure at crucial times.
Against GWS in Sydney, the Tigers were in danger, but Daniel Connors kicked two match-winning goals. Now there's an irony - Connors is not even on the list any more.
But last Saturday's game against Carlton was more typical. Thirteen points up at the 23-minute mark of the final quarter, the Tigers had control. What happened next? They conceded the last three goals.
The dangerous Marc Murphy, having been left alone, set up a goal for Dennis Armfield from a stoppage. Then Alex Rance conceded a silly and unnecessary free kick to Bret Thornton in the goal mouth. Thornton was not even going to mark. It was a critical error, but not the last.
Brandon Ellis missed with a shot on the run from 40 metres. Finally Steve Morris, attacking the ball out in front of his opponent Eddie Betts, launched a running banana kick to clear the football from the danger area. Morris belted it out on the full. The ball ultimately went to Brock McLean, and too many Carlton players were left with too much space. McLean bombed a kick towards Levi Casboult and Post took out Casboult but allowed the ball over the back. It scuttled through for a fluky goal.
From an analytical point of view, Brown said the mere fact Richmond was getting to these situations was a positive. ''They just haven't been in those games in recent years,'' he said. ''So, they've taken a step. But it's about calmness under pressure. You look at Morris kicking out on the full. They say he's young, but two weeks before, (Gold Coast's) Brandon Matera gets it in-board to find Karmichael Hunt, and he's a young player. Morris is really good, but he kicks out on the full.
''The week before, it's [North Melbourne's] Andrew Swallow. There was a big ball inside Richmond's forward 50, he beat two blokes, kept his feet and hit his target, they went the length of the ground to get the winning goal.''
When it gets tight, Brown wants the ball in Trent Cotchin's hands. ''You've got to want the moment to come to you. Some players would not want the ball to come to them. They don't want the responsibility. The really good players are saying 'give me the ball'.''
Richmond's fade-outs are plain. The Tigers have won just seven final quarters this year, compared with 11 first quarters. They are in games virtually every week, but closing them out is an issue.
''They've only won the seven games, but it's a quantum leap,'' said Brown. ''A lot of people are asking, have they taken a step forward or is it just a good old Richmond ninth, 10th or 11th [finish]? But people in the club who understand footy, they'll say it's different. I was there in the dark days and I'm confident they'll make the finals next year.''
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