Richmond’s contested possession differential against Adelaide its worst under coach Damien Hardwick

RICHMOND were successful last year because it brought the heat in every game, pressuring opposition and winning the hard ball. Those aspects weren’t present against Adelaide on Thursday night and Damien Hardwick must address it before the next game.

The Tigers were outhunted by the Crows on Thursday night.

DAMIEN Hardwick could have had Vince Lombardi and Bill Belichick in his coaches box beside him and still lost on Thursday night.

Sometimes all the tactical acumen in the world doesn’t matter if you can’t get your hands on the Sherrin.

The Tigers lost the contested possession count to Adelaide by 48, which in layman’s terms is the mother of all hidings.

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But what was also apparent on Thursday is that as the reigning premier, rivals won’t just sit back and let them roll out the same old tactics.

None of it is particular cause for alarm at Richmond, just reinforcement that when their pressure game isn’t on, sides will try to take advantage.

Adelaide went to work at the coalface, went to work defusing Richmond’s forward pressure and seemed to take advantage of the Tigers’ one-ruck strategy.

With Hawthorn lying in wait next week, Damien Hardwick already knows he has plenty to work on to ensure Al Clarkson doesn’t repeat that exact formula.

The Tigers were outhunted by the Crows on Thursday night.

Richmond’s minus 48 contested possession differential against Adelaide was the worst in his time at the club.

The next-worst was minus 42 against Collingwood in Round 17, 2010 and Round 4, 2011.

They lost those games by 82 points and 71 points respectively.

Players to have four or less contested possessions included Bachar Houli, Brandon Ellis, Jack Graham, Jason Castagna and Kane Lambert.

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You can bet the Tigers will quickly arrest that trend against Hawthorn.

What the Hawks might try to emulate is what Hardwick called Adelaide’s “chip-and-charge” strategy from defence.

They linked up with short kicks, retained possessions and basically ensured Richmond’s fleet of tacklers couldn’t wreak havoc.

“They changed a little bit the way they moved the ball. They probably weren’t as aggressive with their ball movement. In the second half they had 40 or 50 more uncontested marks than us so it’s something we will look at,” Hardwick said post-match.

Richmond wasn’t able to apply its usual fanatical pressure. Picture: Sarah Reed

In the third quarter charge Adelaide had 38 of their 90 uncontested marks, neutering Richmond’s distinct tactical advantage.

It was a direct replica of last year’s preliminary final, where Adelaide’s 126 uncontested marks against Geelong helped them hold sway.

It’s the kind of strategy Clarkson loves playing, disarming opposition pressure by retaining possession.

Yet Richmond’s average pressure through last year’s finals was 199, an indicator that slipped to 155 in the third quarter on Thursday night.

So no prizes for guessing what the Tigers will train this week — don’t allow the short chip kick, dial up that pressure so Hawthorn don’t have time to breathe.

Richmond also conceded the most points from stoppages — nine goals — in two years and allowed 15 hit-outs to advantage against Sam Jacobs and Josh Jenkins.

Damien Hardwick has some work to do with his players on the training track ahead of Round 3.

All of Jacob Townsend, Shaun Grigg, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Shai Bolton took a ruck contest.

On Friday the Tigers were less concerned about that as a factor, even if Shaun Hampson made his long-awaited comeback at Punt Road through the VFL.

So the Tigers will sift through the stats, lick their wounds and attempt to get back to hunting after a night those tables were turned.

When Jenkins smashes Alex Rance and David Astbury stubs his toe to hand Taylor Walker a game-turning goal, sometimes it just isn’t your night.

“I said this last year with our journey. Sometimes you learn more from your losses than you do from your wins,” Hardwick said.

“We will get to work on those areas that got shown up tonight.”