Interim Richmond coach Andrew McQualter has provided an overall positive assessment of the Tigers’ final-round loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval today.

An inexperienced Richmond team, containing two debutants (Tom Brown and James Trezise) and a further four players with less than 20 games to their credit (Tylar Young, Thomson Dow, Sam Banks and Jacob Bauer), pushed Port almost all the way, before the home side ultimately secured a 31-point win.

“To be honest, we’re really proud of that effort,” McQualter said in his post-match press conference.

“Port are going to go deep in the finals. Playing at their home ground and, obviously, we didn’t have anything to play for next week.

“But the players spoke about over the last few weeks they wanted to finish the season well.

“Certainly, against Port, to win contested ball and inside 50s, it’s hard to do at this ground.

“So, we’re pleased with that but, ultimately, I think a bit of their class probably just overpowered us a bit in the last quarter, in particular.

“The third quarter they probably dominated territory a fair bit as well.”

Richmond’s quest for victory was hindered by several players missing very gettable shots for goal throughout the game.

“We forgot where the big sticks were there for a little while. But, in the end, they probably kicked a bit inaccurately as well,” McQualter said.

“They were just a bit more efficient, I think, at times when they went inside their forward 50 . . .

“Overall, pleased with the effort, but not with the result.”