Dustin Martin of Richmond looks to clear the ball during the AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images
Forget Geelong, St Kilda and Collingwood as the teams to watch. The Richmond Tigers have proven that they are the most exciting team taking the field in the lead up to September. Sure, they haven’t a chance to make it to the finals, but they have been fun to watch these last few weeks.
A wobbly start to the season has ruled them out of making the finals this year, but if their performance in recent weeks is anything to go by, the Tigers might just be genuine contenders in 2011.
Despite a proud history in the VFL/AFL, with ten premierships (the last of which was won in 1980), for a long time, Richmond have failed to make an appearance in the finals. Instability at the club has seen four different coaches in the last seven years, and a myriad of players jumping ship, with younger inexperienced players taking their place.
But now settled under the direction of Head Coach Damien Hardwick, these young players have shown what they’re made of these past few weeks, with gutsy wins over strong sides.
Five wins out of the last six matches for the Tigers have remarkably been their only wins of the season.
Their recent wins over West Coast, Port Adelaide and fourth-placed Fremantle, demand respect.
I might be wrong, but I don’t think there’s ever been a team who’s displayed such an impressive turnaround in form, so late in the season, like the Tigers have.
With young players like midfielder Trent Crotchin and Dustin Martin, combined with Brett Deledio, Dan Connors, Chris Newman, and Ben Cousins, the Tigers are looking good. That’s not to mention the stand-out player of the year, and Coleman Medal leader, Jack Riewoldt, who has shown his ability in contested marks, with a whopping 58 goals this season, 10 of which came in Round 12 against the West Coast Eagles.
This sprightly 21 year old Tasmanian may not be the tallest man on the field and he may not look like the strongest man out there, but he has been a revelation for Richmond and without a doubt the best player in their team this season.
There’s certainly an air of optimism down at Punt Road.
They may be second-last on the ladder with 20 points, but they’re playing like they’re outright second. If recent form is anything to go by, upcoming matches against North Melbourne and rivals Collingwood will see us all in chorus wishing we’re from Tigerland.
Ben Somerford
Roar Guru
Interesting Richmond have only beaten non-Victorian teams. In saying that, I'm not sure what you can read into that!
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yeah, Damien Hardwick was missing!
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
It's not just that they won those matches, but the way they won. It's a good sign of things to come. Well that's what I think. And as you say, I do agree upcoming games will be telling. I don't think Collingwood or St Kilda can afford to underestimate them, though they just might, and the Tigers will catch them out! It should be interesting. And thanks for the kind words (in the first paragraph). :)
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
I think Tigers fans are all heart. Watching that game against Sydney, sure I was mad at the fact we were losing to Richmond, but for a team so low on the ladder, it's amazing to see a crowd so passionate. It's clear to see that Tigers supporters have a lot of faith in this team.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
I think they'll give it a red hot go in 2011. Think about Hawthorn. They were fairly ordinary for several years until 2007 when they started to build some momentum, and they got a premiership in 08! You never know...
tomdp58
Roar Rookie
Have to agree with kazama here, superb resurgence by the tiges but the opposition was questionable. Port and WCE, nothing really needs to be said about these teams, both have players who would struggle to get a game for any richmond team in the last decade. Sydney have been mediocre this year since the loss of bradshaw and mcglynn. Fremantle have improved their form away from home but still seem to have a tendency to not travel at all well. Maybe all teams need to look at whatever it is Collingwood do in preparation for travelling. Surely we all know premierships are built around solid foundations, not a six week block of form, the return of Dan Connors has inspired richmond, Jack Riewoldt is a dead set superstar, lets hope his career doesn't paralell that of another frustrated champion, M Richardson. They must keep Dustin Martin and they must defy the AFL and try and recruit successfully in what is a horror period to be dwelling around the AFL's bottom 5 or 6 teams due to draft concessions for GWS and the GC 'Suns'.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Back in the 2006-2007 Terry Wallance was claiming the Tigers would be challenging for the flag in 2009. Something went missing with that prediction. Not saying it won't happen but history is not kind to the tigers and they need to produce good performances right from the start of the season.
Gav
Roar Pro
Definitely. Rarerly miss a game in Melbourne, unfortunately missed the Fremantle game. I'm here for the pain and the glory.
Redb
Roar Guru
Agree Gavin, that win in the mud and slush at AAMI in Adelaide had me singing YELLOW and BLACK :-)
todd
Guest
great article from a typically long suffering tigers fan. The reality is they have some momentum but probably not the cattle to win in in 2011, I'm afraid the Geelong/Saints and ( I hate to say it) Pies Dynasties are here to stay. Tigers for 2015 ?Richmonds performance is a great advertisement for the draft....hooray for Tigerland.....by the way I am a D's fan so I too am accustomed to medicrity.
Kazama
Roar Guru
First of all Melanie, congratulations on your move from the blue side of the page into the red. Amazing that we are even mentioning the words "title challenge" in regards to a team that after nine rounds many thought wouldn't even win a game this season. Their first nine losses were by an average margin of 52.56 points; only one (3 points to the Hawks) was by under 35 points, and only two were by less than 50. While there has clearly been a massive improvement since then, I think we are getting a little ahead of ourselves by claiming they will contend for the title next year. Their wins have come against Port (currently 14th and on an 8 game losing streak), West Coast (16th), Brisbane (12th, have won once since Round 4), Sydney (6th) and Fremantle (4th, but missing several key players including this year's revelation and new Dream Team god Michael Barlow). Demand respect? Maybe the latter of the two, to a degree, but beating Port and West Coast is not exactly a tough ask at this point. For me, the real test will be in the coming rounds when they face credible opposition in Collingwood (Round 17), a resurgent Adelaide (R18), Carlton (R20) and St Kilda (R21). If they win two of those games (plus the three I haven't mentioned) I would consider them finals contenders next season. It's not impossible - Fremantle have shown this season that by injecting some quality young players into the team you can push up the ladder quickly. If Richmond finish off the season strongly, and then recruit well in this post season - and the opportunity to do so may be created by the moves the Gold Coast makes - then maybe, just maybe they can push not only for the top 8 but the top 4 next year. But there is a lot of work to be done by everyone involved with that footy club for that to be a realistic goal. Regardless, the future is certainly looking much brighter for Richmond than it was at the end of Round 9. EDIT - sorry, my ladder positions were wrong. Was looking at last week's ladder for some reason.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Tigers fan Gav?
Gav
Roar Pro
After the first few heavy loses, it was stated that simply one day the game plan would click. When they finally hoist that Premiership trophy high with pride in a couple of years time, mark down the 29/05/2010 or Round 10 as the day it all changed.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
:D
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Yes, yes, of course it's mathematically possible. But it's not realistically possible. Hmm though the freak set of results to happen in 2010 would be exciting!
Redb
Roar Guru
ironicially they could finish 9th, but that is a real improvement on 15th. Still a long way to go, but that there is genuine excitement about this team and not just from the usual one eyed Richmond fans. :-)
Brett McKay
Guest
what's the odds on the Tiges finishing 9th again...
Redb
Roar Guru
Hardwick has got that group of players really playing for him, they're a sensation. Jack Reiwoldt the potential match winner, what a star in the making. Handy midfield with young Martin getting better each week. making the 8 unlikely.
mds1970
Roar Guru
It's still mathematically possible for Richmond to make the 8. Although it would take a freak set of results - like Fitzroy in 1984, Brisbane in 1995 or Parramatta in the NRL last year. But realistically, it's about building for the future for the Tigers. The days of "tanking" for draft picks are gone, and they're starting to build momentum. But history over the last nearly 30 years isn't kind; and shows that whenever things have started looking promising at Tigerland they have an ability to tear themselves apart. Will Hardwick succeed where so many others have failed? Time will tell.