‘Underwhelming’: Toothless Tigers take finals hit

After three successive wins, the Tigers got here crashing again to earth with an 81-point loss to the deadly Lions on Thursday night time.

Already with out the sick Dustin Martin, and injured duo Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch earlier than the match, the Tigers suffered an additional blow within the second quarter when midfielder Jayden Short was compelled out of the sport with a hamstring harm.

But McQualter wasn’t on the lookout for excuses after Richmond’s woeful efficiency.

“ They were just far too good for us,” McQualter mentioned.

“It was a really underwhelming performance from us.

“We were missing some valuable players but we still put a team out there that we thought could get the job done.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case.”

McQualter additionally seemed previous the dreaded bye curse as an excuse for the defeat.

No staff has received this season the week after having a bye when enjoying towards a facet that was in motion the week earlier than.

“It’s impossible to answer isn’t it.

“The stats say there’s something in it but I don’t think that’s the reason for us (losing to the Lions),” mentioned McQualter, whose facet had bye final weekend.

McQualter admitted Marlion Pickett had an off night time on his return to the staff after being granted bail following his arrest for alleged housebreaking offences.

However, he mentioned the controversial midfielder, who had solely 9 disposals, wasn’t the one Tiger to battle on a stunning night time for Richmond.

“He was OK from a mental point of view, but whether he played a great game of footy or not, he probably had some mates with him,” McQualter mentioned.

McQualter mentioned Martin ought to return subsequent week however Short would miss a “few weeks” together with his hamstring situation.

“It was bad enough to come off straight away. I’d assume it will be a few weeks,” he mentioned.

“We’ll scan and see from there.”