I am developing an uneasy feeling, one I’ve not experienced before, and its cause originates from Punt Road.
Although I’m not yet totally convinced, I have a feeling that all the talk may finally be transforming into results.
The Tigers are undefeated, having accounted for Carlton, St.Kilda and the Bulldogs.
Hardly the measuring sticks of the competition, but the Tigers did manage to get over the line in two close ones, something they haven’t been able to do in recent seasons.
They will be challenged over the next few weeks, starting this week against the Pies in what is now a bonafide blockbuster.
Just take a minute to consider just what it might be like if the Tigers were to get over the line this week.
After they finally managed to sneak over the line against the Blues in Round 1, the once dormant hoard of yellow and black followers burst back on to talk back radio, and this time it wasn’t to discuss microwaving memberships or to provide suggestions as to who the next poor soul to coach the club should be.
No, the Tiger fans showed the excitement and jubilation of supporters who, after 30-odd years of mediocrity and a couple of false dawns, finally believe that their charges may in fact have what it takes to still be around come September this year.
This mood continued to grow towards what can only be described as arrogance among the Richmond faithful this week, led by the Tigers very own prodigal son Kevin Bartlett.
He has been suggesting this week that the Pies will be lucky to get within about eight goals of Richmond, who if he is to be believed should now be clear premiership favourites.
All of this after beating three teams who didn’t play finals last year. God help us all if they do happen to knock off the Pies.
Undoubtedly, Damien Hardwick’s men have made significant steps forward this year, and their team looks to have far greater depth than recent seasons.
The return of a fit Tyrone Vickery and the surprise use of Luke McGuane as a forward has given them a far more potent look than when they relied almost solely on Jack Riewoldt.
Their midfield is classy, and they can now call on more players to run through the middle to support the stars in Cotchin and Deledio. The defence is also becoming more solid, with the inclusion of Chaplin and the return of Dylan Grimes making the back six look far more stable.
All the signs are positive, and you can’t help but think that they are coming. In the past few years, its been victimless crime to quietly enjoy watching the way the Tigers played. Last year, the Tigers at their the best were able to play some very exciting football, good enough to beat the two eventual grand finalists.
But you always knew that they would probably find a way to fall away, like dropping a game to the Gold Coast.
But if the Tigers win this week and kick on to September action, not only will the rest of the football public have to deal with the Tiger army on a level anyone under the age of 30 wouldn’t have experienced, but we will also lose our favourite whipping boy.
Ninth place jokes will no longer be quite as funny when the famous yellow sash finally re-appears in September. The next few weeks against the Pies, Dockers and Cats will go a long way to determining if that elusive finals appearance is this year.
And if it is, get ready, because after 30 years in the wilderness, the roar of the Tiger will be impossible to ignore.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. After all, it is Richmond, isn’t it?
AdamS
Roar Guru
Or the first game the next season? Who they should really ask is that guy with the manure truck. His opinion matters in y book. And probably Punt Road offices book too. Go Tiges!
Tigerland
Guest
Well said lads .... of course KB's building up the contest ... but he walked the talk as a player unlike some including those who wouldn't even know of KB's 7 goal contribution in the 1980 GF. Playing Finals footy in 2013 is as optimistic as supporters want to be at present but just winning half of the many close games that the Tigers lost last season will show that there has been further improvement and belief that they can do it.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well said Bradley. The media is fueling this more than long suffering supporters. As for Brian, you don't even make sense. Knoxy, you might be too young to recall that 'dead set tool' Bartlett, but older Pies supporters will never forget 1980 Grand Final. You had a whole team of tools that afternoon. None of them useful.
AdamS
Roar Guru
I for one welcome our new Tiger overlords and plan on being as oafishly insufferable as possible. (If we win, which we probably won't)
David Lazzaro
Roar Pro
Sorry if it wasn't clear to anyone, but at no stage did the writer take K. Bartlett's ramblings as anything other than pot stirring! I believe that it is premature to predict the Tigers have arrived, but with a win or 2 over the next few weeks they will have taken a big step forward.
Kev
Guest
Listen to KB long enough and you'll realize that you can't take his predictions about Richmond too seriously. If you listened to no one but him you'd think that Richmond were bound to win by 15 goals every single week and finish on top of the ladder by 6 games.
Bradley
Guest
Yeah, we Tiger supporters have been crushed for years, so all we CAN talk about is making the eight without sounding foolish. If we talk about anything more we get bagged by folk such as Leigh above, if we talk about only making the eight we get bagged by people like you - what would you like us to do? Talk about how great Collingwood are? Anyway, as far as I can tell, Tiger fans spend the same amount of time on talkback praising or bagging their side as all other fans - it's the media who do 99% of the hyping. Most Richmond fans are not ahead of themselves and are just vaguely hopeful of making the eight. And anyone who takes KB's pot-stirring fun as being serious needs a sense-of-humour transplant.
Brian
Guest
The fact their supporters think a finals series is in itself success just shows how poor they are. I have not heard any Collingwood, West Coast, Hawthorn or Geelong supporters talk about how great it would to make Finals this year. Carlton supporters have had a lean trott lately but they too demand premierships. Only Richmond supporters have been crushed to the point of dreaming about being in the top 8. Would love to see them do well for Hardwick who is a great bloke but can't stand them otherwise
Knoxy
Guest
Kevin Bartlett is a dead set tool. That aside Richmond certainly do look like they're on the way up. As a Collingwood member I admit I am nervous heading into this week. It should be a great game.
me too
Guest
Along with Port Adelaide - currently way to much hype considering the opposition. Improvement is there to see, but the Tigers need a top eight scalp before the hype is near justifiable. Currently looking at 7-10th.
Dan
Guest
Bartlett is, for lack of a better word, a "Troll". he enjoys riling people up, seems to have done a number on you here.
Matt F
Roar Guru
They certainly look to be a team on the up, and the potential is there, although that's been said a few times about Richmond in the last 30 years! I think the hype has been a bit premature though. They've beaten three teams who all missed the 8 last year, two of which were far from convincing wins, and all of those look like missing the eight again this year. The next few weeks will show where the Tigers are really at.
Avatar
Roar Guru
The next four weeks will test how far they have come in the past year, starting with Collingwood, then a trip to Perth to face the Dockers, then the Cats and a trip to Adelaide to face a resurgent Port Adelaide. If the Tigers can win at least two of those matches, watch out. They will also want Round 16 to come soon, as they will be desperate to finally get a win against the Gold Coast. If the Tigers cannot win any of those five matches, then they'll revert to being pretenders and they'll finish the season in the all-to-familiar ladder position of NINTH!
Leigh
Guest
Is Kevin Bartlett for real, Richmond will be lucky to compete for 4 quaters let alone win by 8 goals. Richmond win 3 games against a bunch of nobody's and all of a sudden the Richmond faithfull think they are a chance at the flag, lets wait until they play the top teams and see wear they are at. If I'm right they will still be a team struggling to cement a fringe spot in the 8.