Tinkering Tigers learned from close shaves: PrestiaDinny Navaratnam
afl.com.au
Sep 4, 2018 7:22PMRICHMOND knows it isn't coming into finals playing its best footy, but midfielder Dion Prestia says the Tigers used the final month of the home and away season to tinker with their tactics.
The Tigers wrapped up the minor premiership with six straight wins, the equal-longest active streak in the competition, with their upcoming qualifying final opponent Hawthorn the other side to have won six on the trot.
However, three of Richmond's victories in that time were by single-digit margins.
"Last year, we felt like we were coming into some really, really good form. Just over the last four weeks, it probably hasn't been our best footy, but we've been able to try some different things with set-ups," Prestia told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Tuesday night.
"We've seen a couple of different looks from the opposition, which I think is going to be able to help us in the finals series.
"Last year was totally new for pretty much all of us, going into the finals series, so we know what to expect now, which I think will be a good advantage for us."
The final two matches were against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs, which the Tigers won by eight and three points respectively.
"We've had some different things thrown at us," Prestia said.
"Essendon were pretty much playing for their season, so they were going all-out offence.
"The Bulldogs had nothing to lose, their season was done. They were probably able to control the game a bit more than what we'd hope, but it's better finding out that in round 23 and making adjustments, rather than the first final on Thursday night."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-04/tinkering-tigers-learned-from-close-shaves-prestia
