Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Tigers must build on this momentum after win over Sydney

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has challenged his players to make another resurgence, believing the Tigers have found their spark.

AFL: Round 8 Richmond v Sydney Swans Ben Griffiths goal Picture: Wayne Ludbey

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has challenged his players to make another resurgence, believing the Tigers have found their spark.

The besieged club broke a six-match losing streak, sinking Sydney when Sam Lloyd’s 50m after-the-siren set shot clinched a dramatic encounter at the MCG.

Richmond has sensationally recovered from nightmare starts in each of the last two seasons to play finals. Hardwick said his side had a “long way to go”, but was hopeful it had again turned the corner.

“It’s great to have a win as a reward, (but) what the players do with the win is up to them. They can either be happy with it and not perform next week, but the expectation for us is we’ve started to gain a little bit of momentum from today’s performance and three quarters last week,” Hardwick said.

“It’s great reward for our players and obviously number one, it’s great for our fans. We’ve been through a tough trot, obviously, and for them to show up in force and see the boys fight until the last minute for that victory is a great reward. It was a great result.”

Richmond had the better of the match, denying the Swans the stoppages they relish with more careful offensive transition. The Tigers also dominated uncontested ball and had the upper hand in clearances and contested ball.

Tiger Brett Deledio breaks away from a stoppage. Picture: Michael Klein

Yet the Tigers butchered the ball in front of goal, kicking 8.11 from set shots to Sydney’s 10.3 that threatened to bring them unstuck.

But with 20 seconds left and the Swans clinging to a five-point lead, the ball bounced right-angles to Jack Riewoldt in the middle of the ground and he found Ben Griffiths, who set up Lloyd for the winner.

“I think Jack got a bounce of God there at one stage,” Hardwick said.

“But you make your own luck sometimes. Credit where credit’s due, I thought our boys stood up, our captain tonight, Brett Deledio was outstanding and we got the result.”

Deledio had 34 possessions, but Griffiths (five goals) and Daniel Rioli (two last quarter goals) were just as influential.

Hardwick urged Griffiths, a player who has teased to date, to seize the moment.

“He’s been up and down. The kid’s got ability, there’s no doubt about that. He can do some things not may others can,” he said.

“It’s the consistency we’re looking for. It’s what he does with this game that’s really important. He can either rest on his laurels and that can be the best game he ever plays or he can continue to work hard and be the player we all think he can be.”