Richmond learns from Round 2 lessons says Jack RiewoldtAFL Media Watch/Fox Footy
Ben Waterworth
18th May, 2016RICHMOND forward Jack Riewoldt says its close Round 2 loss to Collingwood was pivotal in helping the Tigers clinch victory against Sydney, as it taught the club how to win in close situations.
The Tigers led by 17 points deep into the last quarter before the Magpies slammed on three quick goals to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in April.
But on Saturday night, it was the Tigers who found themselves 17 points down in the fourth term yet managed to kick three majors, with Sam Lloyd stealing victory from the Swans with his infamous post-siren goal.
Riewoldt revealed to Fox Footy’s AFL 360 that the Tigers’ coaching and playing groups at the start of this week had dissected the final moments of the Swans clash an pinpointed crucial efforts from some of the club’s younger players.
“Probably the best thing we’ve done in terms of game review is we actually sat there and watched the last two minutes. We talked about the individual contributions to the final product,” Riewoldt said.
“Lloyd gets the rewards he deserves for kicking the final goal, but it brings it back to footy being a game full of inches in terms of contest by contest. And some young players won some critical contests in the last two minutes and the result went our way.
“Although we were in a different position against Collingwood in Round 2 when we lost the game when we were in front, in terms of revising that and looking at that, you learn about how to win in those tight situations.
“Daniel Rioli had a really big contest in the middle of the ground, Ben Griffiths played his best game for the football club and the two chase-down tackles from Corey Ellis and Brandon Ellis — I’m proud as a senior player to see the development in those younger guys.”
Riewoldt, who was instrumental against the Swans with 1.3 from 19 touches, nine marks, six inside 50s and four score assists, said it felt as if the tight win had released a pressure valve for the club.
“After six losses, you start to forget what winning feels like and the emotions that it does bring,” he said.
“It certainly has lifted a weight off other people’s shoulders around the football club, the players, the coaches and the fans — they would’ve enjoyed Saturday night.
“But it’s a small step back in the right direction. We still know we’re 2-6 and a long way behind.”
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/richmond-learns-from-round-2-lessons-says-jack-riewoldt-luke-shuey-on-west-coast-away-woes--afl-media-watch/news-story/6490cbc1fea0b729ee06b804e9d16fd9
