Richmond has emerged from last year’s disappointing elimination final loss to North Melbourne with a steely determination to take the next step in its football journey this season.

The Tigers’ CEO Brendon Gale told SEN that notwithstanding the pain emanating from the defeat at the time, it’s subsequently been viewed as a valuable lesson for the team.

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“It’s just hardened our resolve and narrowed our focus,” Gale said.

“I think we’ve got a very good, almost an acute understanding of, I guess, the manner in which we lose games, when we lose them. 

“I know it’s probably a strange thing to say, but I think we walk away understanding what our deficiencies are. 

“We will address those through the evolution of our list and through some players we’ve brought in . . .

“I think sometimes it’s those bitter experiences – those extremely painful experiences – that really do harden resolve and make you stronger going forward . . .

“We lost a game to a pretty good team in North Melbourne. 

“We were a kick away up until a couple of minutes (remaining in the match), and we had a handful of guys, who almost had career-worst games. I’m not blaming them – I’m just making an observation. 

“I’d almost submit, but for Damien (Hardwick) and his team’s coaching ability, and the game plan that got us that far, we might have been blown away. 

“The trends were looking bad before half-time in that game . . .”