Tigers will learn from Pies loss: LambertHerald-Sun
6 April 2016RICHMOND has been put through a “refresher” course on exactly what to do late in tight games after squandering a 17-point lead in Friday night’s last-minute one-point loss to the Magpies.
Tiger David Astbury said after the defeat he was “not really sure what the coaches really wanted in the last few minutes” of the match, where Collingwood fought back before ruckman Brodie Grundy booted a goal in the final seconds to secure victory.
Richmond had failed to control possession in the dying minutes despite holding a three-goal lead and players including Alex Rance and Ty Vickery were criticised for poor decision making with the footy.
Forward Kane Lambert said Richmond coach and “good teacher” Damien Hardwick made sure the message got across to his players during the review of his match.
But Hardwick remained “cool and calm” in delivering the message, as a lesson in controlling your emotions.
Lambert said the players took full responsibility for the narrow defeat and were adamant that should a similar situation occur in the future, it would end differently.
“We trained this thing all summer and unfortunately we failed to execute,” Lambert said.
“It’s out of the coaches’ hands at that time of the game and as players, we take responsibility and we should have been better in those last five minutes.
“It was more of a refresher (that we’ve had in recent days). We had the answers and we just didn’t deliver.
“I’m sure if we’re in that same position again, we’ll learn from this.”
Lambert, 24, a mature-age recruit picked up from the VFL last year, said he has been pleased by his own solid start to the season, admitting the way he closed out 2015 wasn’t up to his standards.
He said consistency was now a focus, but thanks to added size and fitness, was enjoying using the new interchange cap to his advantage.
“With the rotations being capped at 90, we’ve got to be able to find a way to stay on the ground longer and be more efficient,” he said.
“If that can be late in games and I can use it to my advantage then I’m happy with that.”
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