Richmond look better equipped for a proper finals tilt in 2017 than the Tigers have in recent years gone byJune 22, 2017 9:22pm
by Lachlan Ballingall
FOX SPORTSIT’S been a funny old season for the Richmond Football Club.
At their best, they clearly can match it with anyone. At their worst, they show why so many have questions about the impact they could have in finals if they manage to qualify.
They should finish within the top eight, but there’s certainly areas within their game that need to be addressed before their first final comes around.
Before looking at the negatives, Damien Hardwick deserves credit for being able to adapt his side to a style of footy that will stand more of a chance in finals.
Three consecutive elimination final losses from 2013 to 2015 suggested this side needed revamping. Teams just bullied them come the main stage, but one does get the feeling that could change if they get themselves a finals spot this year.
The big difference has been the pressure coming from within the forward line. Teams aren’t playing out from the back with as much ease as they once were which is creating more scoring opportunities.
The biggest negative though this season though is their inability to close out games when they are anywhere between four to six goals in front.
On the weekend the footballing public were once again shown that opposition sides are never out of it against the Tigers. Sydney just kept plugging away and broke Richmond down. There was clear daylight between the two sides on the scoreboard for large portions of the game, but the Swans capitalised on a mentally fragile Richmond.
Being honest, it has shades of Brad Scott’s North Melbourne from the 2013 campaign. The Kangaroos were clearly good enough that season to play finals footy, but they just kept finding ways to lose the unlosable. Once you lose a couple of games you just should not be losing, it will always play in the back of your mind and that’s what happened to North in 2013. Opposition teams ultimately never felt out of the content against them.
It’s no doubt happened to Richmond. The Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney and Sydney have all taken points from the Tigers when really they should not have been given the opportunity. When it has mattered most Hardwick’s men have let him down and it really has impacted their chances of a top four finish. It’s the worst season for it to happen when you consider how even the competition is.
Danny Frawley questioned the mental state of the Tigers after their loss to Sydney on the weekend, but Hardwick has denied that there are mental fragilities within his playing group. But there is a case to be made when one considers how many tight losses his side have had. If they are struggling with it now, will they be able to cope come finals?
They have a better style of footy, but will that be enough if sides start to get a bit of run on them in a big final?
One could argue they have got stage fright in recent finals and they certainly don’t want that to happen again. They haven’t shown at any stage this season that they have the ability to deal with it and until they do the questions will be asked. Right at this moment, if you want to play one side in a final, it is Richmond.
Only time will tell, but even the most diehard Richmond supporter would have to agree there needs to be some form of change.
Carlton are a challenge this week when you consider their form of late, but Richmond should get the job done. The Tiger talent will be enough, but a trip to the Adelaide Oval the following week to play the Power will be a fantastic challenge that Hardwick’s men need to embrace. If they want to change the opinions of the footballing public, then that is a fantastic game to do so.
Is there a flag come the end of the season for Richmond? Based on what we’ve seen this season, it’s difficult to see it happening. Especially when you consider how good both Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney have been, but despite this, they look better equipped than recent times providing they eradicate the final quarter fade-outs.
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