RICHMOND will put an added focus on eradicating discipline issues that have crept into its game this season, having been made to pay for a series of costly 50m penalties in Friday night's qualifying final loss to Brisbane.
The Lions kicked multiple goals from 50m penalties, with Lachie Neale taking advantage of back-to-back brain fades by Shai Bolton and Marlion Pickett when he converted on the stroke of half-time.
Oscar McInerney was also the beneficiary of a 50m penalty that resulted in a goal, with Tigers coach Damien Hardwick left lamenting the self-inflicted nature of the scoring opportunities his side gifted to the hosts.
Speaking on Sunday, Richmond captain Trent Cotchin said the side's indiscipline – having also been on the wrong end of a 17-11 free-kick count on the night – was a major reason for the potentially pivotal 15-point defeat.
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"There's no hiding away from the fact they kicked a few goals from free kicks," Cotchin said.
"Some were just part of the game, but the 50m penalties … I think they kicked three goals from 50m penalties. They're the things that are probably in our control that do determine the scoreboard.
"We'll look at them. There are some things where the boys know we want to play to the edge in regard to our toughness and what we bring to the contest. But there are also some things that we can control and we want to eradicate those out of our game."
It was the second time Hardwick has been made to answer for Richmond's poor discipline this season, after Josh Caddy also gave away a costly 50m penalty in a tough loss to Port Adelaide in round 11.
However, despite the increased number of 50m penalties given away by the Tigers on Friday night, Cotchin said the umpiring hadn't been an issue that had been discussed inside the club either before or after the match.
"It hasn't been spoken about in regard to how red-hot they were on it," Cotchin said.
"I think it's just part and parcel of the game and you accept that. You learn to live with it and you move on. Effectively, their role within the game is to control it.
"I'm the first to admit I would not want to be an umpire in an AFL game because there are so many different challenges within it, just like a player as well."
Defeat to Brisbane leaves Richmond facing a do-or-die semi-final against St Kilda on Friday night, as the club looks to defend its premiership and keep its chances of claiming a third flag in four years alive.
The Tigers should be bolstered by the return of Tom Lynch for the encounter with the Saints, with the club's star key forward on the cusp of making a full recovery from a hamstring injury.
"I think so (Lynch should be fit)," Cotchin said.
"From my understanding, he's training really well. I think it's just a matter of ticking off the main session this week and he'll be available to play, which is really exciting for our group."
