'I'm after a clinical performance', says Hardwick AFL.com.au
26 June 2016RICHMOND'S inability to finish off its opposition remains a barrier to it becoming one of the competition's better teams, says coach Damien Hardwick.
The Tigers led by 56 points at the last break and Hardwick challenged his team to capitalise on the advantage against a Brisbane Lions outfit that was on the verge of its 10th consecutive loss.
Instead, the Lions registered 5.6 in the final term and narrowed the margin to 42 points.
Wastefulness was a particular frustration for Hardwick.
"Instead of the killer instinct that we were looking for, we probably got complacent," the coach said.
"There were a couple of phases of play towards the back-end of the third quarter: (Sam) Lloyd takes a mark and we try to handball over the top, Shane (Edwards) trying to tap the ball over his head. That sort of play I prefer us to steer away from.
"I'm after a clinical-like performance. That's probably the difference between us and the upper echelon sides."
Hardwick came down to the bench early in the final quarter to reinforce the message to his players.
"It was either that or smash the phone up there - I felt a little bit better coming downstairs to say ‘they're outplaying us, so lift’," he said.
The Tigers set themselves the task of booting six goals in the fourth term, but instead could only slot three.
"We challenged our guys to kick 20 goals … it was disappointing to finish like that," he said.
Richmond has kicked 20 goals in a match since its 91-point defeat of Collingwood in round 21 last year.
Hardwick said his team played well for just two-and-a-half quarters and suggested improving the side's proficiency in attack was a key.
"Ability to score from our inside-50 entries, I thought today we weren't efficient. I think we're one of the better sides, we'd like to get that better again," he said.
"We probably left a few goals on the table. We'll continue to work on that. Overall, you have 32 shots on goal, you walk away reasonably happy with that."
Ty Vickery was one of those who missed opportunities in attack. He finished with 1.1 and two goal assists.
His last three matches have seen Vickery collect 21 disposals, but Hardwick defended the key forward.
"I thought he was pretty reasonable today. He had his hands on a couple that probably should have stuck," Hardwick said.
"He's providing a contest for us – that's a big thing with Ty.
"He's been a little bit inconsistent at times, but we're prepared to back him in."
Tall forward Ben Griffiths (illness) and Jake Batchelor (hamstring tightness) should be available next Friday against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval after being late outs, while ruckman Shaun Hampson will have scans after hurting his right knee late in the contest.
Hardwick expects him to face the Power.
"At this stage we don't think it's serious," he said.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-25/im-after-a-clinical-performance-says-frustrated-hardwick
