Richmond coach Damien Hardwick did not mince his words on Saturday night after Essendon rallied from three goals down early in the last quarter to win their AFL Dreamtime At The ‘G clash by a point.

The 10.11 (71) to 10.10 (70) victory ended Richmond’s 13-game winning streak over the Bombers and, once again, the Tigers’ season is on a knife’s edge.

Last week’s upset win over Geelong is a distant memory, with Richmond 14th on the ladder.

“It was a horrible game by us … to give up 142 uncontested marks was just diabolical,” Hardwick said.

“We just couldn’t get the ball back, which is incredibly frustrating.

“It wasn’t helped by the fact that offensively, we just gave the ball back — 36 giveaway turnovers in the front half is just horrendous by nature.”

When it was noted that despite all that, the Tigers were still 18 points ahead early in the last quarter, Hardwick shot back with, “but playing incredibly poorly”.

“We just couldn’t fundamentally do anything overly well … we just couldn’t get anything on our terms,” he added.

“We should be better than where we’re positioned on the ladder. I have to take some responsibility for that, but as a playing group we do have to also.

“We’ve got to get to work — the season’s still alive.”

Rhyan Mansell had a shot at goal late in the game that could have sealed it for Richmond, but it went out on the full.

“He’s one of those guys who tries his backside off,” Hardwick said.