Nine consecutive wins to finish the 2014 home-and-away season went far and beyond any Richmond supporter’s expectations, then anti-climax that was the elimination final against Port Adelaide again momentously defied expectations.
The juxtaposition of last year’s events has thrown even more uncertainty into predicting the fortunes of a club that may rival Collingwood for the most signed-up members for 2015.
The popular belief is that Richmond have been flying under the radar this pre-season.
Seemingly the days of players touring the facilities of opposition clubs, individuals sleeping-in on training days, and a plethora of articles from the media are over.
The fences bordering Punt Road and Brunton Avenue seem tighter and more silent than ever. It’s a bit like the calm before the storm that is Round 1 against Carlton on Easter Thursday night – the perennial barometer of both clubs’ providence.
Last weekend’s mauling of a depleted Port Adelaide barely registered a blip in the fourth estate. Compared to Melbourne and St Kilda’s meagre triumphs over severely depleted opposition, Richmond did exactly as they should have done in Albury.
All signs thus far point to a positive campaign, a finals berth, a home elimination final, or a even a double chance.
Pre-season games, even in the trophy era, are rarely indicators of what will be. But so far, this Richmond side has shown it’s full steam ahead.
Mainstream belief is that the the Tigers cannot possibly miss out on finals based on their past two seasons. However this year Richmond’s fixture is going to have far more of a say in their fortunes than in recent years.
Last year’s nine wins in a row came at the expense of St Kilda twice, Brisbane, Port Adelaide, West Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Essendon, Adelaide and Sydney. Apart from an illness-riddled Port Adelaide and a Sydney team that had already locked up a double chance and a home final, none of their opponents could be considered genuine contenders.
In 2015 the Tigers face GWS, Western Bulldogs, West Coast, St Kilda and Melbourne only once. They play Collingwood, North Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton and Essendon twice. Six interstate games feature, as well as Hawthorn, and a trip to Adelaide in the last six rounds.
Completing their home-and-away season are blockbusters in the last three rounds against Collingwood, Essendon and North Melbourne.
The last nine games appear far more hazardous when compared to 2014. Evidently, it is unthinkable that Richmond can begin the first half of the season in the manner they did last year.
Are they flat-track bullies? Based on last year’s results, probably. The way last season ended and this year’s has begun, alongside the unknowns of this season’s fixture, has undoubtedly put into question their claims for 15 wins and a top-four berth.
Can Ty Vickery and Ben Griffiths provide the support Jack Riewoldt so desperately needs? Likewise can Dylan Grimes stay fit and on the park? Will the triumvirate of Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin perform consistently together, and will the bottom six of Richmond’s best 22 finally be of benefit and not a burden?
Like the Tigers of old, the full tale probably won’t be told until the end of the season.
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