MATURITY and courage were the differences between Richmond's failed 2013 final against Carlton and Thursday night's gritty win at the MCG, says Damien Hardwick.
Hardwick also singled out winning the contested possessions in the defensive arc as a big factor in the triumph.
The match had stark similarities to the September elimination final between the sides where the Blues clawed their way back from a 26-point half-time deficit to win by 20 points.
The Tigers, who led for the entirety of Thursday night's game, were 37 points clear in the second quarter before the Blues stormed back in the second half to get within a point.
But this time, the Tigers held on with late goals to Tyrone Vickery and Dustin Martin – who was also reported for striking Simon White in the second quarter – sealing the game.
Hardwick acknowledged afterwards the players might have battled the psychological side of the game having been mowed down by the Blues so recently and praised their resilience for not letting it happen again.
"In that last quarter, we were really under siege," Hardwick said.
"The third quarter, we kicked 2.6 and I think they kicked 4.1 (4.2) but in the last quarter they were coming and coming and coming and we just couldn't quite win that contest to get over that assault line.
"There's got to be something in it but I think the maturity of our group is starting to get to the stage now where we took it.
"Granted they missed some easy shots on goal but you've got to nail your chances and then to go forward and kick two goals late was a godsend.
"It was good. I don't think we were headed tonight but to kick away late and for the guys to find the courage … we were out on our feet there, no doubt."
Hardwick praised the marking of Jack Riewoldt, Ben Griffiths and Vickery, Trent Cotchin's late efforts after being tagged by Ed Curnow, Matt Thomas' 11 tackles and Chris Newman's strong shown in defence in the last quarter.
He said the contested ball wins in the Tigers’ defensive arc was a glaring difference to last year's loss but lamented their ball use when taking it out.
It was a win he rated "probably a six out of 10" with the upside coming in the first half when the Tigers' best football was on show.
"We managed to win contested ball in the defensive 50 tonight but as I said previously we were just blasting it back out to their numbers," he said.
"It is unlike us, we normally use the ball pretty well from defensive 50, we're one of the best in the comp so to do that tonight was a little bit disappointing and something we'll work on during the week."
Meanwhile, defender Alex Rance will miss two to three weeks with a small foot fracture.
Rance, who was not named in the team, was in the rooms after the game with a moon boot on his left foot.
Daniel Jackson will play another VFL practice match this weekend and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury next week against the Western Bulldogs.
Brett Deledio finished the game in the forward line with Hardwick admitting his vice-captain grew sore towards the end.
