Before these Tigers can hunt an AFL premiership, they must learn to run without stumbling. Or tumbling into a pot hole.
As Richmond coach Damien Hardwick starts the fifth year of his reign, there is plenty to like about the state of play at Punt Rd.
On-field, they have the basis of a top-four list.
Off-field, the way Richmond coped with four issues of varying severity in the last few months proved they are now a much stronger, smarter club.
They’ve made the finals for the first time since 2001 and the recruiting is spot-on.
But Hardwick warns that ongoing improvement is no given.
“There’s going to be a stage where every footy club runs into a pot hole as such – our challenge is to avoid that pot hole,” he said.
“Our aim again this year is to once again improve.
“While we hope that equates to more wins, it might just mean that overall, we improve our capacity to compete.”
So forget about talk of when Richmond might be ready to contend for the drought-breaking premiership they crave.
“This club hasn’t played successive finals series since `74-75,” Hardwick notes.
“No doubt, every club wants to win a premiership and we’re no different.
“You have to remember the process that gets you to that stage – we just have to worry about that process this year.”
It’s also worth acknowledging how far Richmond have come.
How would the Tigers of 10 years, or even five years ago, have coped with Dustin Martin shopping himself around to other clubs?
What about Jake King’s public associations with a bikie figure?
Peggy O’Neal became the first female AFL club president, ending a deadlock between candidates Malcolm Speed and Maurice O’Shannassy.
How would that have played out a few years ago?
It’s much more minor, but also consider how much of a distraction Jack Riewoldt’s self-imposed media ban would have become when Richmond were perennial strugglers.
The point is not that Richmond are now perfect. It’s that they’re much better at dealing with the problems that beset every AFL club.
“We had those three to four stories which could have quite easily back in the old days, if we were a little bit under-resourced, have distracted us,” Hardwick said.
“One person can’t make a footy club – the Messiah complex, so to speak.
“(Chief executive) Brendon Gale and the board have done a terrific job of supplying not only my football department, but every department with the necessary tools.
“It’s hard to relate that to wins, but your club can generally move forward if it has the right people in place.”
For all the justified enthusiasm at Richmond about where they’re going, last year’s elimination final loss to Carlton was a whopping reality check.
They gave up a healthy halftime lead and were belted in defensive 50m contested ball and scores from stoppages versus opposition – two statistical strengths for Richmond.
“We learnt a lot of lessons that day, as a coaching staff and as a football club,” Hardwick said.
“You have to be at your best every day.”
The Tigers have experimented heavily in the pre-season – Martin across half-back, Brett Deledio at half-forward, Chris Newman into attack.
Hardwick admits it’s more than just fine-tuning.
“We’re probably still messing with the engine a little bit,” he said.
They will be without Ivan Maric for the start of the season, but his short-term loss is offset by Shaun Hampson’s so-far successful trade from Carlton.
Ben Griffiths is also a ruck understudy who needs to step up.
Hardwick admits Hampson was a little bit of insurance for Maric, who has struggled towards the end of the last two seasons, but said there have been broader issues.
“Ivan is a bull, which is why we love him, but he did have some trouble against those taller opponents,” he said.
“We felt he needed some help in that area.”
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
History means nothing to this current squad. They won't be pushovers in 2014. Most are predicting, or willing a slide based on previous teams' disappointments. It might be the same club, but this is a different team, make no mistake. On and off the field. No talk of flags, just being competitive will do for now. On a serious note, all Richmond folk, and others I'd reckon, are thinking of Tommy Hafey & his family following his recent major surgery. One of the game's great blokes if ever there was,
Radelaide
Guest
I like where the Tigers are going if they can get their nerves under control they can at least get to second week of finals and maybe Reiwoldt and Martin swapping positions during the game if one is struggling could be an option.
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
Bring on season 2014! I'm still unsure if Ben Griffiths is ready to step up and be a legitimate second option, though. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays the majority of the season in the VFL, but I'd be very happy to be proven wrong.
Milo
Guest
One point that always comes up is the hundreds of coaches that Richmond has supposedly sacked. Richmond is purportedly the worst of all the clubs .Well maybe the 80s wasnt so great (TJ, Bourke, Patterson, Sproule victims) , but since Bartlett was told rightly to resign in 1991 i dont think theyve done any worse than any other club (and better than quite a few). Jeans left of hisown accord, Northey insisted on a longer contract than what he'd been givenpreviously, held the club to ransom then eventually went to brisbane. Walls was sacked, Geishen resigned offhis own back, Spud served out his 5 year contract whereupon he was told it wouldnt be renewed (thank god), Wallace likewise his 5 years term when both club and he parted ways happily (make no mistakes the suntan kid was happy to move on), and now we have Dimma. Arguably 1 sacking in 23 seasons. Hardwick now should become the longest serving coach since Tommy as long as he coaches at the start of next year. But he should be under no illusions. the coaching job is tough at any club and there is rightfuly a limit as to how long you can coach without the ultimate success. So in Hardwick's case thats likely to come in three years. I know all tiger fans hope he can do it, but otherwise it will be time for someone else to have a go.
Franko
Guest
Some good points Neil. As an outsider I thought they began to show signs of turning the corner when they signed Wallace to a long term (5 years?) deal and basically stuck by him whilst they were going through hell. I don't think Wallace did very well at Richmond, but the fact that they finally had some stability (albeit led by a poor coach) allowed them to identify weakness' at the club. Prior to that they had churned through Walls, Geischen Northey, Jeans and plenty of others never allowing the club to address route cause. On another note, Brendon Gale has been brilliant for that club, the longer they can hold on to him the better. Having said all that I don't think they'll make the 8 this year.
Neil from Warrandyte
Guest
The tigers have come a long way since Hardwick took over the coaching reigns at the start of the 2010 season. You must remember back then that the bookies were paying out on them to finish wooden spooners after the first winless 9 rounds. They were being compared to Fitzroy of 1996 and speculation about being the first team in decades to go through a season winless. They had a compromised draft to look forward to over the next few years with the expansion clubs on the horizon along with crippling debt and third world facilities. All that just 4 years ago! The tigers were at their lowest ebb, the one positive that they were able to set down the strong foundations from that low depth for the build that is currently under way. As supporters we were under no illusions that it would always be nothing but a slow and steady build-" no shortcuts" was the slogan. As a tiger supporter and member since the 1960's who has seen the good and the bad I understand that winnng our next flag soon is not assured. I just know that I can now look forward to seeing a more consistant and competitive team both on and off the field in the years to come.