It’s certainly not in determined Richmond small defender Steven Morris’ nature to accept defeat.

But, despite the Tigers suffering their 10th loss of the season, when they went down to the highly-rated Sydney combination by 11 points at the MCG last Friday night, Morris was remaining upbeat.

“Obviously it’s not the result we were after, but it is encouraging that we can match it with a team that’s beaten the ladder leaders at the moment (Port Adelaide) last week, and are playing some really good footy,” Morris told ‘Roar Vision’.

“There are a lot of things starting to go right.  We’ve just got to, hopefully, get the win on the board in the near future . . .

“The challenge is to be able to continue to step up, to take the game on, really be bold, and start to get the ball forward.  To keep doing it when the chips are down and they’re coming at you – and those good sides always will come at you.

“We’ve got a long way to go, but if we can be right up there in contested ball in the league, then we’re going to head forward as a club.  We’ve got to keep sticking to that . . . it’s a good test against a very good team.

“We’ve spoken about doing the small things.  Obviously no-one wants to be in the position we’re in – it really hurts – but if we’re doing those small things right, and getting the processes right, then the results will come and we’re going to get the scoreboard in our favor.”