In thumping league strugglers the Western Bulldogs, Richmond have won their first three matches of a season for the first time in 18 years. That year they made the preliminary final. Could this be the end of their supporters’ misery?
They were warm favourites against the Bulldogs, who had been reasonable in their first two matches but they were bitten severely on the weekend
It will be a long and hard season for the Dogs, with victories set to be few and far between. Richmond, though, showed they are becoming a very good side by making sure they handed out a belting to a poor side like the ones they used to receive themselves.
Richmond dominated the contest in the first half but were inaccurate, then exploded in the second when they found their range in kicking for goal.
Their recruiting of youngsters and recycled players from other clubs has been astute in recent seasons, a far cry from five years ago when they were constantly after quick fixes.
They have one of the most exciting midfields in the competition, led by their brilliant skipper, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio. The Bulldogs were not capable of getting near that trio, with their coach, Brendan Mccartney unable to provide a solution.
They now have a quality ruckman, Ivan Maric, the former Crow, who needed a change of scenery and has become of the best big men in the competition over the past 12 months after treading water in his final years with Adelaide.
Jack Reiwoldt continues to be their match winner on the forward line, but he was goalless in round one and they still won, which was a great sign. Ty Vickery has stepped up supported by the smalls in Jake King, Robin Nahas and Shane Edwards, while Luke McGuane, who struggled to cement a spot as a key defender for the best part of a decade, has beome an unlikely trump card as a hard-working tall forward.
They have plenty of variety there making it difficult to match up against, something that ensures the scoreboard continues to tick over.
Coach Damian Hardwick is also moulding a solid defence, with Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin and Dylan Grimes when fit providing the height and strength, Stephen Morris the hardness, and Bachar Houli and Chris Newman the experience and run.
It’s early days, but this spectacular beginning to 2013 would certainly be wonderful news for Newman, the former skipper, who has played the most number of games so far without tasting finals footy. There’s no one in the game who deserves that opportunity more, and everyone would no doubt be delighted if he gets that chance.
The AFL needs a successful Richmond, with their huge and fanatical fan base, and this week the club plays one of their biggest matches for many seasons when they meet Colllingwood on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.
They could get 90,000 there.
I know that the Tigers are determined at this stage to keep the lid on and ensure they don’t get ahead of themselves, which is hard when their fans have been crying out for success after just two finals appearances in 30 years.
But if they beat the Magpies – and on form they should be slight favourites – I reckon the lid will blow off so high it’ll never be seen again.
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