Experienced Richmond defender Bachar Houli believes a more mentally-strong Tigers outfit will be on display in the Round 3 clash with Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Houli, speaking to the media at the ME Bank Centre on Tuesday, conceded the players were caught short last weekend against a hungrier Western Bulldogs outfit.

“I think we didn’t turn up with the right attitude – that was the main thing that came out of our review. We lacked in certain areas, I guess, intensity,” Houli said.

“And it goes to show that if you don’t come up with the right attitude week-in, week-out, you’re going to come off second best.

“I don’t think we underestimated the Bulldogs.  We know they are a great young team and building.

“It was just simple – they came out with a better mentality, a better attitude.  If you don’t come with the right attitude, you’re going to suffer the consequences.”

Houli was quick to allay any suggestion that a lack of leadership was a main contributor to the team’s performance.

“I don’t think there is an on-field lack of leadership.  I think we’ve got enough leaders in the team with experience. So I wouldn’t say that was the issue with the team,” he said.

“It is about rectifying our mistakes earlier and not following with the same mistakes.

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case on the weekend. We carried out similar errors throughout the game and that, unfortunately, cost us.”

After conducting a comprehensive review of the loss, the team’s focus is now firmly on its upcoming match against the Lions.

“We have reviewed the game and held each other accountable for our actions, and we have moved forward from the game,” Houli said.

“It’s Tuesday now and we are focusing on the Lions.

“We play pretty well up at the Gabba. We aren’t going to use past experiences, but we are going to come with the right attitude right from the first bounce.”