Some AFL teams fear a six-day break. But for Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, his side's next match can't come quickly enough.
Hardwick says his Tigers were taught a lesson in work rate and contested football by a ruthless Adelaide side, who stomped over them by 76 points at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
But rather than erase it from memory, Hardwick wants his players to take the lesson of losing the contested ball count (181-155) and atone for it when they take on the Western Bulldogs this Saturday night.
The reigning premiers are coming off a shattering two-point loss to GWS but Hardwick insists the Tigers are better than what they dished up against the Crows.
"We go into a six-day break now and it's another opportunity to get back on the horse," Hardwick said.
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"In a funny way, you're half excited with your playing group to give them the next chance to make sure we give it a fair crack against the Bulldogs.
"We just got really belted around the contest in that second and third quarter and that was the difference in the game.
"(But) we are a much better side than what we displayed.
"Adelaide showed us a brand of football that taught us a lesson but it also showed us a way forward."
Hardwick praised captain Trent Cotchin (26 disposals - 16 of those contested - and six clearances) but conceded too few players were willing to dig deep when the heat was on.
"I was happy with the skipper ... and the way he put his head down and tried to instil some confidence," Hardwick said.
"(But) we probably had a lot of passengers.
"There's no doubt their work rate taught our blokes a lesson."
