RICHMOND is determined to stay off the "emotional rollercoaster" after a backs-to-the-wall win that shapes as a pressure release for coach Damien Hardwick and his team.
The Tigers overcame a tumultuous week off field to deliver one of their grittiest wins of the season on Friday night, holding firm against Collingwood to win by 15 points at the MCG.
It prompted an outpouring of emotion from the players and fans, and Hardwick allowed himself the luxury of singing along as the players belted out the song for the eighth time this season.
But after back-to-back losses against Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney had plunged the club close to crisis, the coach kept perspective after the match.
"Within club-land we don't ride the emotional rollercoasters external people do," he said.
"We realise we've been under-performing this year, absolutely, but our process doesn't change.
"This week was no different to last week, and it'll be no different next week.
"Emotional rollercoasters we leave to external sources and we just worry about what we can control, and that's trying to win as many games as we can."
When asked what he would say to those agitating for change to the club's board on Friday night, the coach said that was not an issue for him to worry about.
"I've got to look at the tremendous support Peggy (O'Neal) and her board have given me, (football manager) Dan Richardson, (CEO) Brendon Gale," he said.
"Where this club is placed at the moment, with zero debt and 70-odd thousand members, I wouldn't be questioning the board in any way."
O'Neal spoke with fighting spirit in her pre-game address on Friday night, telling the faithful the club would not be handed over to board challengers on her watch.
The players backed up the president, overcoming a slow start and taking "a real step forward", according to Hardwick.
While thrilled with the form of fifth-gamer Oleg Markov (26 possessions and 10 rebounds), the coach wanted to pay tribute to 100-gamer Taylor Hunt.
"It (the form of young players) is exciting, but I look at a guy like Taylor Hunt who continues to have his detractors, but he just gets the job done for me every week," Hardwick said.
"He played his 100th game tonight, he's played 40-odd for us, and I just love the way he goes about his role.
"Those sort of players - Andrew Moore was terrific tonight - they're just key soldiers for your footy club.
"They play their role week-in, week-out and get the job done for us."
Captain Trent Cotchin was also praised by the coach for an enormous fourth quarter in which he won five of the team's 10 clearances.
The coach couldn't, however, resist a quip at the umpiring early when the Tigers fell 25 points down.
"It was just early. I think if you were from America you got a free kick there for a while, but anyway, it comes and goes," he said.
American ruckman Mason Cox kicked two of the Magpies' opening four goals, with the second a result of a free kick given away by defender David Astbury.
