KB lashes ‘pathetic’ TigersLauren Wood
Herald Sun
31 July 2016RICHMOND great Kevin Bartlett has labelled his old club’s effort “pathetic” after the Giants belted the Tigers at Manuka Oval on Saturday.
Bartlett, in Canberra commentating, was scathing in his criticism of the Tigers after the Giants booted 17.9 (111) to 3.5 (23) to romp to a huge win.
It was the Tigers’ lowest score since Round 16, 1961 — 55 years ago — when they kicked just 0.8 against St Kilda.
But it was at halftime, when under clear blue skies the Tigers trailed 11.5 (71) to just 1.2 (
, that ‘KB’ let the Tigers have it.
The Tigers’ disappointing display comes after the Tigers’ future was put back on the agenda by Brisbane Lions legend Jonathon Brown, who backed coach Damien Hardwick’s credentials. However ex-Collingwood skipper Tony Shaw declared the club’s list needed a rebuild.
Bartlett said the side showed “no effort whatsoever” in delivering a one-goal first half — and it wasn’t not good enough.
“No effort from the Tigers whatsoever,” Bartlett said on SEN.
“At the moment, Richmond players in that first quarter were just jogging along. There was no urgency in their game whatsoever. Just not having a crack.
“It’d be disastrous for the club (if it continues for the rest of the game). It’s been a low ebb because it’s not going to play finals this year and it’s been so disappointing.
“If you come here today and put in an insipid performance … it puts everyone under pressure. The board … the coach … the players. Who do you keep? Who do you let go?”
Bartlett said the Tigers had a great opportunity “to shape the eight” — and could have blown it.
“It is just so disappointing if you are a Tigers supporter to see the side fall away as it has fallen away today,” he said.
“We saw it last week against Hawthorn in that last quarter. I don’t think anyone thought they would continue that form on into the first quarter against the Giants.
“In fact, it was pathetic. It was absolutely pathetic. It’d be fascinating to see what takes place at half-time.
“Damien (Hardwick) gets a chance to really shake them up and just see what some of these players are made of.
“There’s around about 16 uncontracted players. You wouldn’t want to be contracting too many today after this performance. It’s got enormous ramifications, this second half for the Tigers.
“This is one of the worst we’ve seen from the Tigers in a long, long time,” Bartlett said.
Both teams booted 2.2 in the third term, with GWS leading by 63 points at the final break.
But the procession continued in the final term as GWS stormed away to build a percentage-boosting win.
After the match, it appeared KB had cooled down a little.
“Slight hiccup today against the Giants. I think mathematically tigers still a chance for finals a lot has to go right from this point on,” he tweeted.
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