THE GAP between Richmond's best and worst football was plain for all to see in its heartbreaking 28-point loss to North Melbourne, according to coach Damien Hardwick.
Richmond held a 35-point half-time lead in Sunday night's clash at Etihad Stadium before capitulating after the main break.
The Tigers, who sit four games outside the top eight with a win-loss record of 3-8, can almost certainly abandon their finals hopes.
"It was a tale of two halves really. We dominated them in the first half and they dominated us in the second half," Hardwick said.
"It probably was [our best and worst halves of the year]."
The Tigers' drop away was drastic.
They were obliterated in the contested ball count in the second half (48-74), while it let North kick start its running game by allowing a flurry of uncontested marks.
"Unfortunately in that second half we were chasing backside that whole time," Hardwick said.
"To give up eight goals in the third quarter, on the back of a contested ball smashing… You're never going to win games of footy if you get beaten that comprehensively."
Hardwick drove home those differentials when he spoke to the players in a 15-minute team meeting after the game.
The numbers provided a stark reminder of Richmond's inability to find any semblance of consistency this season.
Hardwick believes the players and coaches have identified the problem. Finding the solution is the tricky part.
"We know where we are going wrong, we've just got to work to rectify it and fix it," Hardwick said.
In a game laced with negatives, Hardwick was quick to praise the club debut of Anthony Miles, who had 19 touches and a team-high eight clearances.
Miles was delisted by Greater Western Sydney at the end of last season, before being picked up by the Tigers with pick No. 27 in the rookie draft.
"He's a guy who works hard. He puts his head down which is always a positive sign for us," Hardwick said.
The Tigers coach also labelled Dustin Martin's first-half show, in which the Tiger booted four goals from 19 disposals, "as good as you'll see."
Hardwick maintained a measured tone throughout his press conference, a distinct shift from the emotional state he was in after the loss to Melbourne in round nine.
Or the way he fumed at his players after a "mediocre" 50-point loss to Essendon in round 11.
Hardwick's message was clear and to the point.
"We've got to get back to playing footy like we did in the first half. If we play like that we're going to beat a lot of sides," Hardwick said.
"Unfortunately we're only playing in spits and spurts at the moment."
