Hardwick's post-match presser / The hunger is still there: Dimma

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Dimma's post-match presser:

Watch here: https://www.afl.com.au/video/640177/hardwick-our-players-are-struggling-and-lacking-confidence-

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The hunger is still there: Dimma backs champs to bounce back

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says despite another shock loss, his side is 'not too far off it'

By Michael Whiting
afl.com.au
2 July 2021

DAMIEN Hardwick says the hunger is still there from Richmond to chase a third straight premiership following its shock 10-point loss to Gold Coast on Thursday night.

The Tigers are likely to be outside the top eight at the end of the round after again looking like a shell of the team that has won three flags in the past four years.

After kicking just two goals against St Kilda last week, Richmond was again lacklustre against the hungry Suns, coughing up turnovers and struggling to contain their opponents' ball movement.

Hardwick conceded his team had lost confidence but said there was still life in their season.

"Our group are very proud," he said.

"We're first to admit we're not playing anywhere near the capacity we think we can and we've got to get better in a lot of facets of our game."

And with just seven matches remaining, it needs to happen quickly.

Hardwick said confidence was a funny thing that could go just as quickly as it could come.

"Confidence is low at the moment," he said.

"When you lack confidence you're one step behind. Instead of being proactive, you react.

"We've just got to build them up and get them better.

"We're not playing our very best footy.

"I've still got a firm belief we're not too far off it, but we certainly have a lot of work to do."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/639769/the-hunger-is-still-there-damien-hardwick-backs-richmond-tigers-to-bounce-back

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A bit more from Dimma:

* We lost the Eagles game then last week was as poor as we've been. (Last night) we played in spits and spurts. Our boys are lacking confidence which is surprising. 

* Asked about the dramatic drop off in our skill level especially from what are usually our better ball users, Dimma connected that back to confidence or lack of. When you're up and about and feeling good about your footy you hit those targets. However, when your down on confidence you start thinking about your last mistake and your skills fall away as a result.

* Dimma felt we trained well this week. So he's hoping there's a bit of a lag effect and we'll be better on the track again and against Collingwood next week.

* Contested stuff is down but it's the post-clearance stuff that is hurting us. We're getting beaten from contest to contest. Credited Gold Coast.

* Thought earlier in the game we had opportunities to score but skill errors let us down and Gold Coast hurt us the other way. It's a challenge but we've just got to get better in a lot of areas.

* Ill-discipline is disappointing. A bit of a trend creeping into the comp. that the retaliator is getting pinged. Hope that doesn't continue. Having said that we have to be better and not give away those type of frees as it's costing us.