RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has conceded the Tigers' finals inexperience played a part in their brutal dismissal from this year's series by Port Adelaide on Sunday.
There was no way back for the Tigers after the Power stormed to a 42-point lead at quarter-time, with the home side eventually winning by 57 in front of another 50,000-plus crowd at Adelaide Oval.
It's the second straight year the Tigers have experienced finals heartbreak after being knocked out by Carlton in an elimination final 12 months ago.
Hardwick conceded it naturally took time for teams to find their feet in finals after years of failing to make it to the big stage.
"Most sides over the course of history, I think it takes them a couple of goes before they get a crack," Hardwick said.
"I was at Hawthorn before it took us two goes before they eventually had a go at the third, so it's a process.
"We have a relatively young group, a core group that is really young, our good players … we will continue to add to that and continue to get better."
Hardwick was nothing but complimentary regarding the Power.
He refused to label the wind as a factor, didn't blame the emotion of last week's win over the Sydney Swans for their own early tardiness, and said Ken Hinkley's men dominated in contests and displayed their blistering ball movement as the Tigers turned it over when they did manage to win it.
He said his team played "nowhere near" its potential.
And, he said it was clear the Tigers had to improve after their nine-game winning streak was abruptly halted.
"The thing about AFL footy … you've got to get in finals to give yourself a chance and that's what our guys have done the last two years and the easy thing to do is dismiss that," he said.
"The reality is we had a 12-10 season, we fought back from 3-10, which is an unbelievable scoreline, but the fact of the matter is that once that regular season finishes and the finals start, it's a new season and we've failed.
"So, we've got to get better. We know we do. We'll work incredibly hard over summer but so will other sides.
"It's a long time before you get there again so our boys are bitterly disappointed, disappointed with our performance in a big game.
"You've got to take your chances when they present and we just didn't.
"It's just one of those games ... and unfortunately it was on one of the most important occasions for our footy club."
Hardwick was loathe to detail what the Tigers needed when it came to the upcoming trade, free agency and draft period.
Defender Steven Morris will have shoulder surgery that he had required nearly all season in the coming weeks.
