Richmond lose Jayden Short as finals hopes take a dive in Brisbane

Another injury to a key player and a big loss has dented Richmond’s hopes of making the finals.

Tigers leave the field (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter has refused to blame his side’s injury woes for the Tigers’ huge loss to Brisbane at the Gabba.

After three successive wins, the Tigers came crashing back to earth with an 81-point loss to the lethal Lions on Thursday night.

Already without the ill Dustin Martin, and injured duo Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch before the match, the Tigers suffered a further blow in the second quarter when midfielder Jayden Short was forced out of the game with a hamstring injury.

But McQualter wasn’t looking for excuses after Richmond’s woeful performance.

“ They were just far too good for us,” McQualter said.

“It was a really underwhelming performance from us.

“We were missing some valuable players but we still put a team out there that we thought could get the job done.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.”

The Tigers leave the field (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

McQualter also looked past the dreaded bye curse as an excuse for the defeat.

No team has won this season the week after having a bye when playing against a side that was in action the week before.

“It’s impossible to answer isn’t it.

“The stats say there’s something in it but I don’t think that’s the reason for us (losing to the Lions),” said McQualter, whose side had bye last weekend.

McQualter admitted Marlion Pickett had an off night on his return to the team after being granted bail following his arrest for alleged burglary offences.

However, he said the controversial midfielder, who had only nine disposals, wasn’t the only Tiger to struggle on a shocking night for Richmond.

“He was OK from a mental point of view, but whether he played a great game of footy or not, he probably had some mates with him,” McQualter said.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Marlion Pickett of the Tigers in action during the 2023 AFL Round 16 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Richmond Tigers at The Gabba on June 29, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

McQualter said Martin should return next week but Short would miss a “few weeks” with his hamstring issue.

“It was bad enough to come off straight away. I’d assume it will be a few weeks,” he said.

“We’ll scan and see from there.”