They may have ended the AFL’s longest finals hoodoo last season, but if Richmond cannot build on it and progress further this year, then another long spell outside the finals beckons.
Their journey into last September’s finals, in which inexperience proved costly in a 20-point loss to Carlton (ironically the last team the Tigers beat in an AFL final), marked only the third time since 1982 in which the Tigers advanced past the regular season.
But to repeat last year’s success this season, the men from Punt Road will have to tackle a very tough draw that has them facing their bogey team, the Gold Coast Suns, in Round 1.
More on that later, but first let’s take a look at the Tigers’ chances for 2014.
Richmond
Last season: Elimination finalists
Most recent premiership: 1980
Notable arrivals: Shaun Hampson (Carlton)
Notable departures: Shane Tuck (retired)
Leading goalkicker: Jack Riewoldt (65)
All-Australians: None
Best-and-fairest: Daniel Jackson
Once again, high expectations will be on the menu for Richmond as they look to back up last year’s finals breakthrough in 2014.
The Tigers were a model of consistency last season, racking up 15 wins against eight losses and also knocking off Hawthorn for the second year in a row.
However, if they are to scale higher heights in 2014, they must start to knock off other higher-ranked teams, and those they are supposed to beat, on a regular basis.
That said, among their eight losses included one each to Geelong and Sydney, both teams of which have the finals experience that Richmond don’t, and another to North Melbourne, who were suffering a frustrating season until they thrashed the Tigers by 62 points midway through the season.
As far as player transfers are concerned, there was little activity during the off-season, with Shaun Hampson the only notable arrival and Shane Tuck the only major loss from Richmond’s playing list.
Hampson is the second ruckman the Tigers have lured to the club, after they also landed ex-Crow Ivan Maric in 2012. From there, competition in the ruck is expected to be tight and competitive.
Fans can also expect to see Jack Riewoldt once again dominate in the forward line, while another solid season can be expected from Trent Cotchin, whose captaincy responsibilities contributed to a slight dip in form; in 2012, he was second to Jobe Watson in the Brownlow Medal count, last year, he finished ninth.
Looking at their draw, it is a very tough one and it’ll be hard to see the Tigers backing up last year’s breakthrough with another finals appearance if they cannot conquer the difficult challenges they have been presented with.
They face the Gold Coast Suns away in Round 1, and also get only one shot at each of Geelong and North Melbourne, two teams that showed Richmond what needs improving if they are to become a real contender last season.
Let’s take a look at some of the matches Tigers fans will be dreading (or looking forward to) this upcoming season.
Matches to watch in 2014
1. Richmond versus Gold Coast Suns, Round 1
If there is one team the Gold Coast Suns have caused grief since entering the AFL in 2011, it’s Richmond.
Not only did the Tigers become the first Victorian team to lose to the Gold Coast, it was also against Richmond whom the Suns won their first match of 2012, and it came after the Tigers led by 10 points with 30 seconds remaining.
That loss mentally affected the team for the remainder of the season and they would crash from finals contention to a season-ending finish of 12th.
And though the Tigers would get it right on the third attempt, many will feel that their first round trip to the Gold Coast – where they are expected to face a Suns side which will seriously start to contend for finals this season – will be a precursor as to how the Tigers’ season will eventually unfold.
To prove the point, St Kilda endured a poor 2013 as a result of their first round loss to the Suns, from which they would never mentally recover.
A victory on the Gold Coast will be crucial if the Tigers are to prove they are the real deal this season.
2. Richmond versus Hawthorn, Round 6
While most teams in the AFL dread a meeting against Hawthorn, the Tigers are one of the few clubs that actually relish a showdown against the minor premiers of the last two years.
It was in 2012 in which the Tigers delivered Hawthorn the biggest reality check of them all, dishing out a 62-point hiding to the Hawks, who used that loss as the spur to their eventual run to the grand final.
And again it was the Tigers who delivered the Hawks a roasting, though this time it was by 41 points and it was held later in the season (round 19).
Can the Tigers repeat the dose on the Hawks in 2014, in what will be their only meeting this year?
Their task will be made slightly easier by the fact they won’t have to take on Buddy Franklin this time.
3. Dreamtime at the ‘G, Round 11
This is the one fixture the Tigers feel privileged to be part of, as their guernsey colours, along with that of the Bombers, make up the colours of the Aboriginal flag, and it will be the Indigenous contingent from both teams which will be the prominent feature of this annual fixture.
Richmond’s performance in this fixture last year was anything short of embarrassing as they buckled under the relentless pressure of the Bombers, who at the time were flying until the ASADA investigation brought them down at season’s end.
However, there is the incentive for the Tigers to win this year’s edition, not only to make up for last year’s dismal effort, but also to even the ledger at five wins apiece, after this tradition was started on a Saturday afternoon match in July 2005.
4. Richmond versus Sydney Swans, Round 23
Given Richmond are still in finals contention by then, this final round showdown against finals specialists the Sydney Swans will act as their prelude to September, but if the Tigers are out of calculation, then they can sabotage the Swans’ flag aspirations instead.
For this final round match, the Tigers will venture to the venue of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games for only the second time ever, after previously playing there in the final round in 2002 and losing.
That said, they will have to reverse a poor record in the Harbour City, having not won there since 2004 (two victories over GWS aside).
Moreover, their last meeting against the Swans in Sydney ended in a 47-point loss, which exposed Richmond’s inability to beat quality sides like the Swans.
The verdict
Looking at the draw the Tigers have received, it’s hard to see them building on their finals breakthrough from last year, but if they can cause a few upsets and further build on from last year’s effort, then anything can happen.
But taking into account their inability to beat quality sides (Hawthorn aside) or those they should beat (think North Melbourne, who thrashed them by 62 points last year), it’s hard to see the Tigers contending for the upper echelon of the ladder in 2014.
All that the club will hope for are strong performances from Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and co. Without them, the Tigers are nothing.
Prediction
Yes, you guessed it… ninth.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
The AFL has confirmed the right decision was made after a ball ricocheted off a boundary umpire's leg during the third quarter of Melbourne's…
A touching moment for the Demons star with Jacob Hopper.
There's an old saying that you should never argue with an idiot, because they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you…
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron has been handed a one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Jake Lever during the Lions' Thursday night win over…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
