Similar to Beethoven’s Ninth symphony, 2012 could be one for the Richmond Football Club to remember. One where they come out on top, silence the doubters and overcome the pressure.
2012 could be the year the Tigers finally finish inside the top eight, for the first time since 2001.
In previous years the crowd that is the Tigers hopeful would sit rigid in their seats, worried that if they left their seat Jumping Jack might miss a shot at goal.
Similarily, they would worry that Cotchin or Martin might lose focus for a second and that it could cost them the game.
The sub-plot of missing out on the finals has followed them since their last premiership in 1982.
Whether it’s been poor performance, poor coaching, or bad off-season choices (think Tambling in the 2004 AFL Draft) Richmond just always seem to find a way to let down their supporters.
Because after all that’s said and done, it has always ended the same – close, but not good enough.
With six ninth place finishes since 1994, a finish just outside the top eight has proved to be Richmond’s bread and butter.
But can 2012 see them finally break through and buck the trend?
Beginning the year with a tough draw and a few early losses, the word on the street was doom and gloom yet again.
It was set to be another long year at Tigerland, with fans already planning ahead for next year.
But with four wins from their last five starts, all of a sudden the top eight isn’t that much of a stretch.
Can this current group of Tigers actually give the competition a shake this year?
Let’s have a quick look at their best hopes for a brighter future.
With a young, exciting midfield led by former number-one pick Brett Deledio and young pup Trent Cotchin, opposition coaches are starting to label the Tiger engine room as one of the best, if not the best, in the league.
In defence they have Alex Rance, who is in All-Australian form at the back, having stepped up to another level in 2012.
Chris Newman is playing solidly as captain, while off-season recruit Steven Morris’ aggression and level-headedness has seen him make a seamless transition to senior footy.
They have Jumping Jack Flash up forward, who has seemingly played himself back into form with a confidence-boosting eight goals against the Saints on Friday night.
With a solid supporting cast of tall timber and goal-kicking midfielders, the Tigers’ attack is in good touch heading into the half-way mark of the season.
Which brings us to the ruck, an area where they have previously lacked aggression and drive.
Now this is one of their biggest strengths in 2012.
New recruit Ivan Maric has been a revelation since crossing over from Adelaide.
Maric is in All-Australian form of late, giving the Tigers midfield first use of the ball while tallying some impressive stats of his own.
Add to this a solid supporting cast of ex-Blue Shaun Grigg, former Don Bachar Houli and Jake ‘push-up’ King and even people outside of Tigerland are starting to believe.
2012 really could see the beginning of a new era for the yellow and black.
So when the sun sets on Punt Rd in 2012, what song will the Tigers faithful be singing?
A rasping rendition of the team anthem or yet another sulking version of Richmond’s ode to ninth place?
John Seabrook
Guest
Dan, after Richmonds sobering performance against Freo, I'm not sure I can manage a 'blimey' or a 'crikey. More like an 'Oh sh..! It's happened again!
Dan
Guest
No Dan doesn't think that, but it doesn't stop it from being funny! Crikey!
John Seabrook
Guest
I hope Richmond keeps on improving for many reasons, but mainly to put to rest the incessant, witless drivel about ninth position! For some reason, opposition supporters reckon that the mere mention of it is somehow a dagger in Tiger supporters' hearts! 9th,7th,10th??!! It doesn't matter. Dan probably thinks he's in the vanguard with his effort. Blimey!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Thanks for reminding us NORM, can it really be 200 years since the Napoleon coached Grande Armee came unstuck against the badly underrated Russkies? Time flys doesn't it? I think there's a lesson in that for everyone. Anyway, damn their eyes, the tiggers look the team most likely to crack into the eight at this stage.
Dan
Guest
This year is going to be Richmonds best ninth ever.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
All I can say is: "YELLOW AND BLACK!!!!"
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Just on Alex Rance, he sems to clean up as many members of his own team or himself as many times as he gets the opposition.
Jason
Guest
Great write up McRath. Having followed Richmond for the last 15 years, I can honestly say that this is the most well-rounded, confident, and consistent richmond side I have seen in a long while. I agree, draft choices may play a part, however, I think you may have overstated this. Richard Tambling was a valuable asset at Tigerland. The buddy/tambling issue gets raised more than it should. The fact that superstar Buddy Franklin prospered so quickly at Hawthawn is a credit to Buddy, not his recruiters. Likewise, the fact that Tambling turned out to be a good player, rather than a great one has more to do with himself than Richmond recruiters. What many people don't know is that the media covered tihs story so intensly, Richard has had to deal with Depression since being drafted.... Also, one player simply does not make that much of a difference. Sides are formed and forged through hard work and dedication, not simply through 18 #1 draft picks thrown together. Richmond's new form is based on a combination of hard work, pre-season training, good drafting in backline/midfield choices, some actual depth to our list, and also to do with Damian's leadership. His coaching strategies, particularly one of uncontested ball domination combined with what has become one of the best defensive structures in recent years, should be commended. His coaching style has given 22 players with a lot of heart, some much needed direction and results are starting to show this. The team structure is now such that no 1 player is a game changer, one player can simply be substituted with a well performing rookie who will fill in the hole. I am certainly a fan of team based victories, rather than reliance on 1 player (aka Buldogs). Our upcoming fixture of Fremantle, GWS, Adelaide, Melbourne, GC, NMFC, Carlton, Brisbane, Buldogs is certainly a favourable one, after a rough first 10 rounds. I'd go as far as to say, given current form, we would likely be favorites in all but one of those games. can we win 8 out of our next 9 games? Perhaps. If we can, that would certainly place us in 8th spot by the end of the year... Given our fixture for the remainder of the year, and current form, as well as our new 4 quarter footy style and ability to remain competitive against all top 8 teams.. for the first time in a long time, I actually do believe that this year may be the year we make the 8. It is not going to be easy, and a lot is going to depend on the form of teams such as Carlton and Geelong, one of which will need to fall out to make room for us...but it is highly possible. Year of the Tiger? Perhaps not. Year the Tigers make the 8? Definitely possible. Go Tiges!
Milo
Guest
Nice work McR and Norm perhaps a little harsh. But as a tiger for more than 45 years I can honestly say that the great majority of us dont expect finals. We dare not even hope for them. We are, as written in the words of the footballing ancients, taking it week by week and one game at a time. But thats clicheatic enough for now. This week is no gimme. Freo has all but been written off in the press and people forget the team does have enormous talent. It will improve over the course of Ross Lyon's tenure; its more a case of how much by when. Dont be surprised to find yet another twist in the tiger tale circulating next week - 'overrated tigers' 'bubble has burst' et al. In reality of course the truth is somewhere in the middle. The tigers are improving slowly, steadily, perhaps dare we say it, even inevitably. They work hard, are honest in effort and with each other. But they are a young side still. And young sides are inconsistent, and tire over the course of a long season. It would be great if a decent dose of perspective could be brought to bear but i guess in the press and the media, when dealing with the Punt Road Army, thats not something we should hold our breath waiting for... So for now maybe the tune we are really hearing is more like Barnes' (Ode to the) Working Class Man.
Norm
Guest
I think Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture suits Richmond better than Beethoven's 9th. It's got the spirit of "Oh, we're from Tigerland". But the real piece of music for them is Elgar's "Land of Hope & Glory" :-)