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- Chaplin post-game in the rooms
- Conca post-game in the rooms
- Riewoldt post-game in the rooms
- Match highlights
- Team song
- Game-breaker Anthony Miles
Richmond’s players used the stinging disappointment of last week's heartbreaking loss against Fremantle to topple a red-hot Hawthorn, coach Damien Hardwick says.
The Tigers' 18-point victory was built around their ability to deny the Hawks access to the ball for long periods of the game, as well as drying up the reigning premier's scoring options.
Richmond held the high-powered Hawthorn attack to just 53 points for the match after the Hawks had averaged 116 points in the previous 16 games.
"The execution (of the game plan) was really important, probably built on the disappointment of last week," Hardwick said.
"The guys were quite angry with the loss and the pleasing thing from my point of view is that they turned that disappointment and anger into a really credible performance.
"The way they went about the contest tonight – they hunted the opposition – I thought was as good as I'd seen it."
Hardwick spoke to his players in the review of the Dockers game on Monday and urged his side to respond like a good side should.
"We spoke about it earlier in the week and said that loss could make or break you," Hardwick said.
"We walked out of Monday's review as positive as we had. We felt like we could play with the best sides in the competition… but the proof was going to be in the pudding tonight."
Led by Anthony Miles (30 disposals and seven clearances) in the midfield and Brett Deledio (four goals), the Tigers outhustled and outworked their fancied opponents, winning the contested possession count 147-126.
The Tigers also beat the Hawks at their own game, racking up 98 uncontested marks to Hawthorn's 56.
Richmond's win also marks the third occasion in the past four meetings it has slayed the competition's giant.
Hardwick said the Tigers' 2015 journey was still unfolding.
"Your games along the way will help mould your side. It's another win where we build on our story as a footy club," Hardwick said.
"It's been a reasonably long journey for our patient Richmond fans, but we hope we can repay them at some stage."
The Tigers have now beaten three of the top four sides in the competition – Hawthorn, the Sydney Swans and Fremantle.
But Hardwick is not daring to dream just yet, saying the club's focus was on a crucial matchup against seventh-placed Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.
"We are not putting a ceiling on it," Hardwick said.
"The most important game is Adelaide next week. Any win away or any game away is incredibly tough. So, we are going to have our work cut out for us.
"We have to make sure we enjoy the win tonight but we move on quickly and our guys are accustomed to doing that."
