Richmond were able to edge past Carlton in last night's AFL season opener, but Tigers coach Damien Hardwick says his team will need to be more disciplined leading in to next weeks Grand Final rematch.
The AFL's newly enforced 'protected area' rule was on full display at the MCG, with the umpires using the season's first match to let the league know that it will be a priority this year.
Despite Richmond's 26-point victory, the Tigers were called out harshly by the umpires, giving away several 50-metre penalties, allowing Carlton to convert these opportunities into points on the scoreboard.
"It's a rule, we understand that, and we've got some work to do on that part of the game," Hardwick told afl.com.au.
Hardwick was unhappy that the Blues were able to convert seven goals from free kicks given away by his team, asserting that his team will need to be better at not giving the opposition team easy opportunities to score.
"I thought we gave away too many cheap free kicks ... so we've got to get our discipline better, we were disappointed with that part of our game, there's no doubt."
Hardwick also found issue with Richmond's on field structure and execution around boundary throw-ins in particular, but is positive that these issues can be amended ahead of their match against the Crows next week.
"The pleasing thing for us, we played well enough to win but we've certainly got to get better for the Adelaide Crows next week," Hardwick said.
