Tigers switch tactics
August 02, 2012 11:38:29 UK
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has signalled a change of approach for the rest of the AFL season, with the Tigers acknowledging their finals hopes are slim.
The Tigers need to beat Brisbane on Saturday night to keep alive any hopes of making the eight. But already, they need a perfect end to the season accompanied by other results going their way.
I think now it is about playing for the jumper.
Damien Hardwick
And Hardwick says with the prospect of a first finals series for 11 years almost out of reach, the focus of the club will be different. He said some of the club's younger players would be given opportunities and nominated Ben Griffiths and Bradley Helbig as those most likely to feature in the remaining rounds.
"Mathematically it is still possible (to play finals), but I think now it is about playing for the jumper," Hardwick said. "We have got some players coming back into selection this week, so we are starting to get some players back which is a good thing."
Hardwick is looking forward to facing the Lions, who would leapfrog them on the ladder into 12th position if they beat Richmond.
"Brisbane are a side we have got enormous respect for...they play really well at the Gabba and they have some really good players in form," he said. "So it is going to be a good test for our boys."
Hardwick has challenged his young stars to develop a ruthless streak, after seeing them lose their last three games by less than a kick.
Asked about the recent habit of failing to win tight matches, he admitted: "That's something as a footy club we have got to get better at.
"There are certainly patches in games where we can get better in certain situations.
"We have got to think our way through those situations better and that way we will get a better result.
"That is what a good footy side becomes."
The Tigers are 1.62 to beat Brisbane, who are available at 2.30.
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