Tigers aim to lift against Cats in AFL
Roger Vaughan
AAP
May 3, 2013 - 1:46PM The AFL team that keeps finding ways to blow close games comes up against the powerhouse that appears to have forgotten how to lose.
A controversial goal umpiring incident and Jack Riewoldt's form aside, the simple fact is Richmond suffered a one-point loss to Fremantle last week.
Tight losses cruelled their finals chances last year and the Tigers had been confident they had fixed that problem.
Now they play Geelong, who have staged big comebacks against Hawthorn and North Melbourne in their unbeaten start to the season.
Richmond are 3-2 and certainly look capable of returning to the finals, but coach Damien Hardwick said they must play better.
"They're a formidable outfit and we're certainly looking forward to the opportunity to play them," Hardwick said of Geelong.
"We think it will bring out our best footy and we think we're capable of getting a result."
The Cats have won their past eight games against Richmond, dating back to 2006.
But only one of those matches was at the MCG, Saturday night's venue, and four were at Simonds Stadium, otherwise known as Fortress Geelong.
Richmond must lift their tackling, an area where they are ranked last in the AFL.
Hardwick noted their tackle count was up against Fremantle and said it was a question of the players' defensive mindset.
"It will be something we're looking forward to, especially against a rampant Geelong side," he said.
"They play very fast footy. They're upbeat - they play on very quickly.
"No doubt the tackle pressure will be a big one for us this week."
The criticism of Riewoldt this week means there will be plenty of focus on the key forwards, with Cats star Tom Hawkins also returning from a tight back.
Jared Rivers' knee injury means Cats utility Harry Taylor will likely have to stay in defence and support Tom Lonergan against Riewoldt, Luke McGuane and Ty Vickery.
But any advantage the Tigers might have with their key forwards is balanced by concerns about their defence.
A fortnight ago, Collingwood's Travis Cloke monstered the Richmond backs with seven goals and, no doubt, the Cats have taken careful note.
"We've certainly been reasonably pleased with the way we've been playing," Hardwick said.
"We haven't played, apart from the Bulldogs game, to the standard we'd like offensively.
"Defensively, we think we've been pretty capable in all those games - the Collingwood game, the third quarter, the glaring exception.
"Overall, there are some things going okay, but we still have to make sure we tick a few boxes to get us back to playing the footy we know we can."
Geelong also welcome back Paul Chapman, while the Tigers regain key defender Troy Chaplin, fellow backman Steve Morris and small forward Jake King.
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-sport/tigers-aim-to-lift-against-cats-in-afl-20130503-2ixio.html
