Richmond coach Damien Hardwick didn’t see Bachar Houli report but says club will move on

RICHMOND got the points but it wasn’t all good news, and coach Damien Hardwick’s “frustrating” day may be further soured on Monday when the AFL’s MRP meets.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick found the day frustrating. Picture: Getty Images

RICHMOND returned to the winners’ list but it was not all good news for the Tigers, who blew their chance to gain vital percentage and look set to lose rebounding defender Bachar Houli to suspension.

Houli was reported after swinging his left arm back and collecting Carlton’s Jed Lamb in the head as the two ran through the middle of the ground in the second quarter of Sunday’s match at the MCG.

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Lamb had to be carried from the field and failed a concussion test which meant he took no further part in the game.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Houli was enjoying an “outstanding season” but he had not seen the incident itself, which will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel on Monday.

“I can honestly say I didn’t (see it),” Hardwick said.

Matthew Wright attends to Carlton teammate Jed Lamb after an off-the-ball incident with Bachar Houli. Pic: Michael Klein

“But at the end of the day there’s other people that make those decisions, not me. Bachar’s one of those guys, I don’t think I need to say what his record is. I think whatever the incident was we’ll move on.”

Hardwick described the match as a “frustrating” one. His side only broke clear of the Blues in the final term despite dominating general play throughout the afternoon.

The Tigers had 62 inside-50s and a massive 24 marks inside 50 but managed just 11 goals from 31 shots in the 26-point win.

Richmond’s percentage climbed slightly from 109.7 to 111.7 but in one of the most even seasons in history, percentage is likely to be a key factor in determining finishing positions come season’s end.

Houli high fives fans after Sunday’s win. Picture: Getty Images

“We had nearly 30 scoring shots and just couldn’t get the scoreboard reward we deserve,” Hardwick said.

“We prepared our guys for the arm-wrestle. That’s the way they (Carlton) like to play the game.

“I never really thought we were really challenged. The way we dominated the game I thought we always looked the stronger side so I was probably more frustrated we couldn’t get the scoreboard effort.”

The Tigers tackle fourth-placed Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.