Richmond’s opening quarter against Collingwood at the MCG yesterday proved so costly in the eventual outcome of the match.

The Tigers conceded six goals, while kicking only two goals themselves, and were thrust firmly into catch-up mode from that point on.

For the rest of the contest, they were outscored by just two points (8.7 to 7.11), but the damage had been done in the first term.

“We weren’t happy with the way that we started the game. It felt like our territory game was okay, but we just allowed them too many scores,” Richmond coach Adem Yze said in his post-match press conference.

“To the boys’ credit, I thought we played out the game for the rest of the match.

“Our work-rate and energy in the back three quarters was at the level that we thought. But we just can’t give a team that’s fighting for a finals spot that sort of spirit and that energy early . . .

“Their efficiency going inside forward 50 was just a lot better than ours. Whether that was talent or whether it’s execution, they scored from stoppage, scored from centre bounce.

“A lot of their inside-50s were pure and got reward for effort. Whereas, we worked really hard and we had a lot of shots on goal, but we just couldn’t finish our work.

“So, we’re really disappointed.”

Yze moved Seth Campbell on to Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos in a bid to curb his dominance and, overall, he was pleased with the way the talented Tiger cub applied himself to the key run-with role.

“We just wanted to give some exposure to a young guy,” Yze said.

“Seth’s got an amazing tank, he can run all day, and we wanted to give some exposure to him inside.

“We thought he toiled away and did really well.

“Then, late in the game, we changed his role and tried to run off Daicos a little bit. So, it was a bit of a shoot-out in the last quarter. 

“But for Seth to get that opportunity on one of the best players in the comp., he’ll be better for the run.”