There’s no doubting Richmond’s physical toughness but toughness comes in many formsWarwick Green
Herald-Sun
June 15, 2014 RICHMOND’S mantra all week was “contested ball’’. On Thursday morning its coach even joked about throwing a left hook at a television reporter who questioned the Tigers’ stomach for the hard stuff.
With such a build-up, the Tigers had no option but to show courage.
During the warm-up the Richmond players had a driven and intense look about them. Under the watchful eye of assistant coach Mark Williams they banged bodies, practised tackling and wrestling drills.
In the moments after the first bounce the Tigers were ferocious. They gave the Dockers no time or space, laying nine of the game’s first 10 tackles, with Nathan Fyfe seemingly a particular focus of attention.
They produced desperate smothers, notably when Trent Cotchin – sidestepped by his counterpart Matthew Pavlich – recklessly flung himself at the big Docker’s boot just as he launched into a kick.
There was no questioning their courage when it came to putting their head over the ball, running in straight lines and putting their bodies on the line.
But courage takes many forms, and it’s not just about embracing physical contact.
There is the courage to not drop your work rate and fade out of the game for one or two quarters. The courage to run hard and then harder to break a tag.
To gamble on leaving your man so that you can get across and help a teammate. To convert the crucial shot at goal. To sprint 100 metres without the ball, even when you know it probably won’t lead to a possession but will create space and options for the team. The courage to get back up for a second and a third effort.
To will yourself to win the next centre clearance when the Dockers are on an unanswered five-goal or seven-goal streak.
To have the courage to take a risk. To take the tougher option. To have the courage to stand up and be counted under pressure.
Throughout the second and third quarters Richmond did not show that courage. When the game had essentially slipped from the Tigers’ grasp, and there was no option but to go for it in the final quarter, they rediscovered a boldness that allowed them to outplay the Dockers for a while.
The difference is, though, that Fremantle showed the courage to take all of the hard choices and more throughout the match. They are a well-drilled outfit with a belief that every one of the 22 will do what is best for the team.
Damien Hardwick can bristle all he wants when people raise the possibility that his players are soft.
At the final siren Richmond had won the contested-possession count 130-127.
They did not shirk it.
The Tigers were not physically soft against the Dockers. But they weren’t mentally tough, either.
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