Richmond coach Adem Yze said the leaders at Tigerland were doing exactly what he needed them to do, as a young coach.
And they were doing exactly what the Tigers need to allow them to bounce back and be back in contention.
On Saturday night, those leaders led the club to a fifth win for the season, beating bottom side West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium.
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It was the first time they have won two games in a row, having beating Essendon in Round 18.
The Tigers blew the Eagles off the park in a dominant third quarter after a sluggish first half.
After playing the almost-certain wooden spooners one week, Richmond face the competition’s top side, Collingwood, next Sunday at the MCG.
Yze is more than aware the Pies present a much different challenge, but he’s buoyed by what he saw against the Eagles.
“Our second half, we played the right way, like we were really hard to play against,” he said.
“Our team defence looked really organised, hard to play against, tough to move the ball from one end to the other.
“Our contest work was next level. Plus 21 (for contested possessions) in a half of football is a great effort, and we’ll need to do that against the best team in the comp.
“I thought our ball use was very good in the second half.
“Collingwood obviously provides a different threat, but we’ll go there with some excitement, test the best team in the competition and see how we go.”
Crucial for their chances next will again be Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, who were outstanding against West Coast, with 63 disposals, 15 clearances and five goals between them.
The pair were just as impressive against Essendon a week earlier and are both averaging more than 25 touches a game this season.
Jack Ross was also crucial against the Eagles, keeping young gun Harley Reid to just seven touches after half-time. Reid had 20 disposals in the first half and almost single-handedly kept the West Coast in the game.
Yze said it was an amazing effort.
“At half-time, we made the decision to try and shut (Harley) out, and I think he kept him to the seven possessions in the second half, which is an amazing effort by ‘Rossy’,” he said.
“And I think ‘Rossy’ had 25, so it was a really nice blend.
“Our leaders just stood up again.
“The guidance they’re giving our younger players is just exactly what I need as a young coach, and then the young boys are providing a lot of spirit and energy.
“So, when you add those two things together, hopefully we can bounce back really quickly.”