Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt calls the analysis of yet another close AFL loss a steep learning curve.
The Tigers had the lead with less than a minute left on Sunday at the MCG, but Fremantle took the ball from the centre bounce.
David Mundy marked and then kicked a goal after the siren to give them a two-point win.
It was the second time in three seasons a late Mundy goal gave the Dockers a tight win over Richmond.
The Tigers have made a bad habit of losing matches decided by less than a goal.
In the last two seasons, their cliffhanger record is 1-5.
"Just one piece of the puzzle went wrong," Riewoldt told Fox Footy.
"We had a pretty honest discussion about it today and fortunately it's a very steep learning curve.
"We certainly looked at this and thought 'we need to be better than this' - we needed to have someone come off the back of the square."
But Riewoldt pointed out there was no point spending an hour of Tuesday's game review on the last 21 seconds, given their first three quarters against Fremantle were poor.
Richmond were five goals down at three-quarter time.
"The ball bounces up in the air and (Shaun) Grigg misses it, just," Riewoldt said of the last centre clearance.
"Sometimes the ball falls that way.
"But I will continue to harp on, is there's no point focussing on the last 21 seconds if you are not going to get the first three quarters right.
"We were outplayed."
Melbourne veteran Jordan Lewis said looking at the match footage, Richmond seemed to set up well for the last centre bounce.
"The funny thing is, when you do go in front with 21 seconds to go, you try and get as many numbers behind the ball as you possibly can," he said.
"Now what that may do is relax some of the defenders who are already on forwards, because you have to go out there covering space.
"You might think 'I don't have to go as tight on my man, because someone else will actually come over and cover me.'
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