BRISBANE Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has largely blamed his senior players for his team's dramatic fadeout against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Lions slashed a 27-point deficit to just nine points early in the third quarter, and appeared more than capable of causing an upset, but conceded 13 of the next 15 goals to suffer a 72-point hiding.
Leppitsch was particularly disappointed with the efforts of midfielder Daniel Rich and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, who is out of contract at season's end.
Match Report: Lions V Bulldogs
"We got within (nine) points and then it just fell apart. I guess it's a sign of leadership usually when those sorts of things happens," Leppitsch told reporters post-match.
Asked whether Rich and Leuenberger were among those he expected to show more leadership when the Lions were under siege in the second-half, Leppitsch didn't leave anyone wondering.
"Yeah. They've been around a while, haven't they. Our kids made some errors too but, yeah, you expect more from those guys, don't you," he said.
Rich managed only 12 possessions, including just four contested. The booming left-footer has averaged just 16 disposals in his past five outings.
Leuenberger only had five touches, two marks and 10 hitouts, playing largely in the unfamiliar role of key forward as back-up to No. 1 ruckman Stefan Martin, who was one of the Lions' best players against the Dogs.
Asked what he could do to spark Rich, Leppitsch admitted even he didn't have the answers.
"Um, I'm not sure," he said. "We coach the team, we coach the individual, so no doubt we'll have those individual conversations … It's probably half the coach and half the player, isn't it. I've got to try to get the best out of Daniel and 'Leuey' and players like that, but they also have to bring their half as well."
Of Leuenberger's place in the team, Leppitsch said: "It is difficult (with) two ruckmen playing, and 'Leuey' is not a key forward, and we've been persevering and persevering."
Leppitsch also revealed his team's injury woes had continued with youngster Nick Robertson to be sidelined for "a while" with a fractured shoulder.
"But I'd probably prefer to focus on the things we can control – there was plenty of things we could've tonight," he said.
"We got so close playing the way we want to play and then fell apart.
"Some team concept stuff we have to work on as a group to get better, particularly turning the ball over in the front half, and we probably don't react as quick as the best teams in the competition.
"That's the thing with this game – (it's made) up of a thousand little things and sometimes one little thing makes the whole domino (effect). They transition from their back half and often it's because of one little lapse in concentration."
Leppitsch said the only positives to come from the game for his side were some individual performances from Martin, midfielder Dayne Beams (28 disposals) and young, left-footed key forward Daniel McStay who kicked three goals after being sidelined for the previous two games.
"For a young kid to come off a layout and have an impact and mark the ball was good," Leppitsch said of McStay's efforts.
Given his inexperienced, undermanned defence, Leppitsch could be forgiven for lamenting his friend Alex Rance's re-signing with Richmond after the Lions had reportedly signalled their interest in securing the star defender.
"As I've stated before, we never even made an offer to 'Rancey'; nothing even come of that. It was always support for Alex and his decision, and I always knew (he) was going to stay at Richmond," he said.
"It's great, I'm rapt for him. First of all the thought of (him) not playing football was a red flag for all of us that care about him. So I'm glad that's over with."
