Tigers coach calls out ‘diabolical’ performance… but explains why it is ‘OK’

Richmond coach Adem Yze was left to rue a “diabolical” performance from his midfield during their 23-point loss to Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.

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The Tigers got absolutely hammered around the stoppages, losing the clearances 45-23, and as the game wore on, the Bombers got further ahead in other key categories, before ultimately comfortably winning disposals (441-333), tackles (71-54) and contested possessions (141-121) as well.

While Yze appreciated the wide gap in experience between the two sides, with Essendon averaging 39 games more per player than Richmond, he said the “weight of numbers” in the second half took their toll, as the Dons also had far more forward entries after the main break (29-17).

“We got smashed in inside 50s, time in forward half, clearances were diabolical,” Yze said.

“And that’s OK. We had a really young side in … a lot of their A-graders played really well.

“(Zach) Merrett, (Nic) Martin, (Andrew) McGrath, they’ve all had over 30 possessions (in) wet conditions, and their talent shone through.

“But they’ve all played 100/150 games. Our front end had (Luke) Trainor, (Sam) Lalor, (Jonty) Faull, (Thomas) Sims, who have played 10 games of footy each.”

Exacerbating the Tigers’ experience deficiency was the absence of key pillars Toby Nankervis, Tom Lynch and Noah Balta. Captain Nankervis’ omission, in particular, was felt in the middle of the ground as the raw Samson Ryan went up against Bombers veteran Todd Goldstein in the ruck.

“He’s in very good form ‘Nank’, so for him to miss was obviously always going to be an issue for us,” Yze said.

“He’s been dealing with a knee issue for the last few weeks, so we had to break the cycle. So a five-day break, it just made sense. The risk was if we kept pushing him through, he’d miss more than one game.”

Yze was hopeful that Nankervis, Lynch (concussion) and Dion Prestia (Achilles) would all be available to face GWS next week. Prestia hasn’t played at any level this year, and is earmarked to play three quarters in the VFL on Saturday night.

However, No.1 pick Sam Lalor (hamstring) and Thomson Dow (knee) are unlikely to tackle the Giants after the pair hurt themselves against the Bombers.

“Thomson Dow’s kneecap slipped out,” Yze said.

“He said he’s had it before so depending on what sort of damage that does, so he’s most likely going to miss as well.

“Hopefully we can get lucky there.”