Firstly, an admission. I was one of them. I was one who, last year, watched and celebrated, and while I couldn’t personally know what it felt like, I saw the significance to every Richmond fan.
Finally, those long-suffering Tigers fans who had so often planned their annual holidays in September had something to smile about, as Richmond qualified for the finals.
It was hard not to get carried away with one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Their stay in the finals may have been fleeting, but it represented promise for the future.
Now, another admission. I was one of them. I was one who, before the season began, thought and expected Richmond would take another step. Having reached the eight in 2013, in 2014 they would match it with the competition’s big guns: the Hawks, Dockers, Cats and Swans.
They had their share of player turnover in the off-season, but the nucleus of the team, their quality young players, remained intact. This was a year when the Tigers could push for and reach the top four, just like they did back in 2001.
I know the season is only hitting its halfway mark, but I have to concede: I was just so wrong.
There are clearly major problems at the Tigers. They are not playing like the team did – for each other – in 2013.
Three wins have been coupled with eight losses, and while the top eight may be only a handful of wins above them right now, only a dreamer would tip them to claw their way into the finals.
The previous round’s win over Greater Western Sydney Giants said more about the western Sydney boys than it did the Tigers. Beating an inept Giants outfit by over 100 points, was satisfying, and it did erase some of the humiliation of losing to the Demons a week earlier. But in reality, very few were convinced the 2013 Tigers had returned.
And wasn’t that rammed home on Saturday at the MCG.
Dreamtime at the G. Such a showcase for the game each season. How disappointing and embarrassing that the 2014 Tigers we have come to know turned up.
The margin was 50. It would have been more if not for a few consolation goals late in the contest, but the deficit doesn’t matter. Anyone who watched the game – without trying to denigrate the Bombers – knows exactly how poor the Tigers were.
But why? They have some injuries, but certainly aren’t ravaged like clubs can be. Their style of run-and-carry worked so well last year, why has it disappeared? Is it the players? Is it the coach?
Who knows, but something has to change swiftly or this season – with all its pre-season expectation – will be even more painful for the Tiger faithful than those when the club repeatedly finished one rung out of the finals when September rolled around.
Right now, while they might not be on the bottom of the ladder, there isn’t a club in a worse place than the Tigers. All of the clubs below them are right where they were expected to be. Most have upside, but significantly, none were tipped to push the very best teams in 2014.
Next weekend the Tigers have North Melbourne, a team they have beaten once in their past six outings, followed by last year’s grand finalists running into solid form, the Dockers, and then perhaps the hottest team in the competition at the moment, the Sydney Swans.
Tough? Hell yeah. But maybe, just maybe, it could be the testing time the Tigers need to get their season somewhere near being back on track.
Ryan
Guest
Cost of Losing Allowance?
paul
Guest
I see what you did there. Howler to Howlett.
asd
Guest
Hardwicks done every thing he can Cant do know more .If your not interested in playing for him. Quit playing .As a player you got to have desire like fire . Maric is the only one who has it all the other players are questionable.
Stephen
Guest
Also played bulldogs twice in 2013. Beat Essendon in a dead rubber in the last home and away game. Carlton were only finished in the eight after Essendon booted. In 2014 they also play Sydney twice.
Slane
Guest
The teams they played twice last year were Carlton, Essendon and Freo... This year is GWS, Essendon and St Kilda. How was last year easy compared to this year? I dispute your claim that Richmonds draw this year is tougher than last seasons. Their draw this season is easier than last year. That's why it is even more shameful that they have thrown this season away. They won 15 games last season. The only teams they didn't beat were Sydney, Geelong, North and Collingwood. What they have served up this season is a nightmare.
Mic
Guest
Richmond are garbage, and what you do with garbage is throw it in the bin and start again. When you've done that you can throw my team in on top of them, wheel the bin to the gutter, and let the big truck take them away. By the way, my team is Carlton.
Stephen
Guest
I said it was a much tougher draw this year. That is tougher than the draw they had last year. Compare the teams they played twice last year to the teams they play twice this year. I am not saying their draw this year is tough, but last year's draw was ridiculously easy.
Swampy
Guest
One of my best mates has basically had enough of being a Tigers fan. He says it's painful. 30 years of disappointment and having crap piled on you takes it's toll. He is deadly serious about changing teams. Normally that would be the cue to just pile more crap on him (well we all did actually) but I actually do feel a bit sorry for him. I think various people have hit the nail on the head - there's no real leadership at Richmond. Cotchin is not a general nor does he win a game by himself. He's very similar to Matk Murphy. Both very fine players but are definitely too quiet or reserved to be leaders of men. The Tigers have Dan Jackson and Chris Newman as the only leaders that really stand out. Dan Jackson though would be scratching to make a better team. The top clubs have handfuls of guys you'd be happy to give the captains armband to. I just don't see that at Richmond. When the chips are down it just looks like the Tigers play for themselves rather than each other.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Maybe they need a COLA???
AzzaM
Guest
Maybe it is just part of a tanking program to get a top draft pick now and relaunch into the Top 4 next year? Wishful thinking? Who knows...there is no rationality to their lack of turning up to play this season. All I know is when my nephews laugh at me and ask why I follow the Tigers I can only hang my head and ask myself the same question
Another South Australian
Guest
And Schultz. Another great day!
Radelaide
Guest
and then gave us White, the next best day
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Re the recycled players - I was about to make a similar point - I learned the other day that about a quarter of Richmond's list are recycled players, which seems quite high to me (although I'm not really sure what the norm is). When you focus on recycled players rather than drafting quality young prospects - with the latter a bit more patience is required but the window can stay open for a long time when you get it right - with the former the fall can be every bit as quick as the rise because inevitably the quality is unlikely to run deep.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
I remember the day RIchmon "stole" Chaplain of us, best day I'd had in ages
Stewie
Guest
All I'll say is this: lack of tough inside midfielders. You basically have Cotchin, who quite frankly carries your midfield along with Dusty when he's not playing forward, and perhaps Conca, although his development has stalled sadly, to the extent where he is now barely a B-grade footballer. The only other player I can think of is Matt Thomas, who has done admirably, but was only ever meant to be a depth player and is also a bit too slow. Ellis, Grigg, Foley, etc are all outside players, . Bring in Miles who has killed the VFL and will show the lads how to play tough footy.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The mystery about North's easy losses is they don't seem to have any plan B. The middle just seem to wander around unware that they have an opponent and imagining what they'd do if they had the ball.
Milo
Guest
Schmick you have it in a nutshell. We dont have the players. The majority of recycled players have hit their development ceiling and we cant expect anymore out of them. They were only stop gap anyways. Leaving Maric, lets stop playing Houli, Grigg, Hampson, Petterd Chaplin & co and replace with guys from VFL. Arnot, Helbig, Batch, McBean (when fit) Gordon, Miles, Elton etc Keep playing Dea, McDonough, Lennon. And give Foley a fair crack he's almost our best tackler when given a chance and usually contributes one or two goals. These new guys need to be played until seasons end when we do a complete list & football review. Giving them a go will establish whether they actually do have the potential or not. Theyre not getting a game now as the recycleds are preventing them. Pretty simple really and the only common sense option for the rest of the season given we can forget finals now and the last thing we need is to get stuck in the 9-12 range. Id throw leadership into the review at seasons end also. Of the small group of five, only Dan Jackson & Maric deserves to be there. Cotch is not a leader of men and way too quiet (he even admitted he lets Jack do the talking!), Chaplin shouldnt even be playing and Lids can be too inwardly focused especially when he's getting beaten which he often does. We can forget chopping the coach. He's contracted until end of 2016 and unless he resigns of his own accord (not impossible but unlikely for the moment you would think), we've just got to keep going with him. The players do love him, but he's not showing a great deal of tactical nous esp when Plan A fails on game day (every week). He probably needs a wiser head there and Choco's not a renowned tactical man either, more a developmental and motivating type. Dimma's also putting out mixed messages - couple of weeks ago appparently we had some 'elite' at vfl level, now our best players are playing seniors as per Sat night post match. Which is it? Overall we have to persist with him and can no longer be seen as a club whose first reaction is to sack the coach. Reality is we have been quite fair since the late 80's but the perception's still there.
slane
Guest
Did you check and/or compare the draws before writing this comment? I completely disagree with you and rate Richmonds 2014 draw as one of the easiest in the comp. They have no excuses.
Gecko
Guest
I wish someone would elaborate on that Jack Riewoldt comment. What did he mean by 'we went one way and the game went the other'? I can't even understand which way the Richmond game plan has gone. It's certainly slowed down. And when they 'took the game on, they either lacked the skills or confidence to execute (witness Rance's kick across goal and a few pitiful attempts to run the ball through the midfield). If the Richmond players know what the current game plan is, they're certainly keeping it a secret.
Ryan
Guest
What? Extend the contract of a man that is yet to show the ability needed to take the side to the top 4? At the some time when you have a premiership coach on the coaching staff who is looking for a head coach job? Yeah that sounds like something Richmond would do.