There was an unpleasant sense of deja vu for Damien Hardwick but Richmond's "proud" coach is preaching positivity after his AFL side found yet another way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Greater Western Sydney booted the final six goals of Saturday's contest at Spotless Stadium, prevailing by three points. The Giants led for just one minute of the match but were ahead when it mattered most.
It was the Tigers' third straight loss by less than a goal and followed a defeat perhaps even more demoralising, which came when Fremantle's David Mundy kicked an after-the-siren goal.
Hardwick took a glass-half-full view of proceedings, highlighting how his youthful team went close to upsetting premiership favourites GWS.
"I walk away as a coach incredibly proud of our boys. I think they've taken it up to every side they've played with the exception of Adelaide," Hardwick said.
"I walk away really disappointed we lost.
"But I thought the intensity and effort our guys gave was really high.
"Look, half our forward line are teenagers.
"I've got young players playing up there, doing their absolute best.
"We've got young, developing players who are going to get better as the year progresses."
It is the first time an AFL side have lost three straight games by less than a goal since the Tigers did it in 2012.
"There is an art (to closing out matches), there is no doubt that. In 2012 we had a similar patch," Hardwick said.
"This side, many people will see, it has got some inexperience in it. We just need to make sure we get that a little bit better.
"You learn a lot from these sort of losses. It's been a tough three to four weeks but I'm sure our boys will learn something from it, bounce back and be better as a result.
"No doubt (the Tigers are a better team compared to last year)."
The Tigers next face Essendon in the blockbuster Dreamtime at the 'G clash.
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