RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick believes the Tigers shot themselves in the foot by failing to take their chances in a 20-point loss to Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
The Tigers were gallant at the MCG and twice fought back from significant deficits to threaten the Dockers.
Richmond overhauled a 22-point margin in the second term and rallied late to reduce a 40-point gap to just 14 late in the final quarter.
But, damningly, both teams had the same amount of scoring shots – with Richmond booting 12.13 to the Dockers' 16.9.
It was an honourable loss, but that was not good enough for Hardwick as the Tigers slipped to a win-loss record of 3-9.
"The one thing (was) the boys' endeavour was there today. I thought they attacked the ball hard and the man hard. Against a formidable side like Fremantle you always have to play that way," Hardwick said.
"I think it was a pretty even contest throughout the course of the day. The fact is that Fremantle's efficiency off turnover was outstanding. I think they kicked 8.1 to us 3.9.
"Unfortunately if you don't put scoreboard pressure on the opposition, especially a quality side like this mob, you're going to get hurt the other way.
"I think we're seeing improvement, but we're not getting any wins. That's the thing that you measure your improvement on.
"The fact of the matter is we're 3-9, nowhere near where we want to be."
Spearhead Jack Riewoldt symbolised the Tigers' nearly-but-not-quite performance.
Riewoldt took eight marks and had seven shots at goal for only one major.
"It was a funny one, I think he took maybe eight marks inside 50 (but) kicks 1.5. His goalkicking was disappointing," Hardwick said.
"I thought his overall work rate was very good, I thought he beat his opponent. Unfortunately though he's paid to kick goals, 1.5 doesn't cut it.
"He knows that, he's a big game performer. He's just got to make sure he kicks those goals when we require them because that's the scoreboard pressure we speak about."
Young midfielder Anthony Miles again showed his potential in just his second game for the Tigers, amassing a team-high 30 disposals and booting a goal.
"I thought he was terrific. One thing he does, he wins the hard ball. He uses the ball really well also," Hardwick said of the 22-year-old.
"He's going to get better as he gets older. He's a quality kid as well so I'm really pleased he's found his way to our footy club."
Meanwhile, Hardwick disagreed with the umpires' decision to penalise a rushed behind by Dustin Martin in the second quarter.
Martin roved the ball from a pack and handballed on the full over the goal-line from about 15m out.
"My understanding (was) if you've got pressure on you you’re allowed to put it through for a point," Hardwick said.
"It depends how big the pressure is, I suppose. I thought the umpiring was OK today, I just thought they made a mistake with that one.
"My opinion, I'm sure they'll probably think otherwise, but that was my opinion. I thought overall the standard was much better this week."
Richmond faces a monumental task to snap its three-game losing streak when it hosts the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Friday night.
