VIDEO: Dimma's press conference ...
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2013-02-22/damien-hardwick-press-conference---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardwick not worried about another close Richmond lossBy Jennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
11:53pm AEDT Friday, February 22, 2013DESPITE training throughout summer to combat the close loss syndrome that plagued his team last season, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wasn't too stressed after Friday night's four-point defeat by North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos came from behind to pinch the third NAB Cup game at Etihad Stadium, with young forward Aaron Black kicking the sealer with 40 seconds left.
After losing six games by less than 13 points last season, including three by less than four, the Tigers have focused on maintaining their composure when the pressure goes up this summer.
Hardwick said it "would have been nice" to have claimed the win and conceded the Tigers blew their chances with two missed goals late in the game.
Still, he left key players Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Shane Tuck on the bench in the game's final minutes, signalling the pre-season hit-out wasn't a do-or-die affair.
"We had our opportunity to win the game; we just didn't on this occasion," Hardwick said.
"It would have been nice. We had the last two shots on goal so we probably didn't nail it.
"To a degree [there were elements of what had been practiced at training] but we had a pretty inexperienced side out there towards the end.
"There were some young boys trying to make some decisions, and structurally we made a few mistakes, so that's something we'll go through on the tape."
Hardwick said he was pleased with the Tigers' intensity but they continued last year's pattern of being let down by ball use.
"What we've got to get better at is capitalising on those turnovers," he said.
"I thought our ball use once again was a little bit scrappy last year and probably continued that trend a little bit tonight.
"We'll go back and have a look at it and rectify it and try and get it better."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-22/close-loss-doesnt-worry-hardwick
