THE CROWS' elder statesmen proved the difference between the teams on Sunday afternoon, and Richmond coach Damien Hardwick knows his side needs to fill this void.

After a 50-point loss against Adelaide that left the Tigers the competition's only winless team, Hardwick said it was the opposition’s maturity that sealed his side’s defeat.

“Adelaide to their credit had really good players that stood up,” he said. “I thought McLeod and Goodwin were outstanding in the last quarter.

“We are looking to develop those long career players who can drive us to continued success.”

Hardwick blamed a lack of poise for his club’s last quarter fade-out, with Adelaide kicking the last eight goals as the game blew out to an unflattering margin.

“I thought our composure was poor about halfway through the third quarter and particularly in the last," Hardwick said.

"Mentally I thought our boys switched off and thought someone else was going to do it."

Trent Cotchin (18 disposals and six tackles) fought hard all day for the Tigers after returning to the team from a leg injury, and Robin Nahas (two goals and one assist) showed glimpses of brilliance.

The Tigers were wasteful in front of goal in the third term, missing five opportunities to pressure Adelaide on the scoreboard.

“We had some really good chances inside 50 from tackling pressure but couldn’t capitalise,” Hardwick said.

Hardwick said he felt confident approaching the final term that his side could still win the match.

“I thought we were in really good shape as Adelaide’s last quarters haven’t been great,” he said.

Mitch Farmer was a late exclusion with a virus but should be fit to face Hawthorn at the MCG next week.