All Aussie Rules fans, especially the Richmond faithful are aware of the running joke which is the Tigers are always favourite to finish in ninth position.
On the eve of the 2017 AFL season the Tigers will be looking to start the season off with a win against Carlton in their traditional opening round Thursday night clash at the MCG.
After making the finals from 2013-15 without being able to successfully get that elusive finals win, the Richmond Football Club had a disappointing 2016 finishing 13th.
The Tigers were proactive in the off season changing a large number of the coaching staff while also changing the playing list.
Richmond acquired the services of two exceptional midfielders in Dion Prestia from the Gold Coast Suns and Josh Caddy from Geelong.
Prestia does come to the Tigers with a few injury concerns but these two could be just what Richmond need to help Trent Cotchin out in the midfield.
Both have a decent amount of AFL experience while also having their best football ahead of them.
The Tigers did lose one of their fan favourites in Brett Deledio to Greater Western Sydney, and also Tyrone Vickery to Hawthorn.
This will be a challenge to replace the two especially finding someone that has the same versatility as Deledio brings.
The player that could make the biggest impact in his first year at the Tigers could well be Toby Nankervis who Richmond acquired from the Sydney Swans.
Nankervis had a strong 2016 with the Swans and is just what Richmond needed after Ivan Maric struggled with injury and form.
Nankervis also has the ability to go forward and kick goals which can come in handy trying to fill the spot left by the departure of Vickery.
With these new recruits and the top end talent of Dustin Martin, Alex Rance, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt.
Also add young player Daniel Rioli getting better with each game the Tigers will be looking to improve from their 13th spot finish last year.
Will they be able to crack into the top 8 and compete for their first finals win since 2001? Or will they just finish outside, dare I say it… finish ninth?
Tiger
Guest
I reckon they'll win the flag
Gillon McLachlan
Guest
Thanks for your input Beny. More predictions like this & you'll qualify to become the chief football writer for the Herald Sun. The Tigers finished 3rd in 2017 with more than 1M spectators attending their matches during the home & away season - a league record. Gill
David C
Guest
They finished 13th last year because they put the queue in the rack and played the kids to finish the season. They are a better side than 13th and have strengthened in the offseason. They will be on the fringe of the 8.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
You are all wrong. We will finish first and win the premiership. We will be heralded as the Leicester City of the AFL. K.B is right in pumping up Nankervis' tyres. He is a gun. Sydney let the wrong ruckman go. They were foolish in keeping Naismith. Geelong's born to rule arrogance got them into a total pickle and we ended up stealing Caddy. I told everyone Prestia was coming to Tigerland last year and he certainly has arrived. Next year we will get Fyfe (who grew up barracking for Richmond) who dreams about holding the premiership cup aloft in the yellow and black, Forget about GWS we are on the brink of a Richmond dynasty. We are the new Hawthorn.
Cat
Roar Guru
No, no they won't. For all the over-hype they'll get because they beat Carlton, if you watch the game with both eyes open you'll see the Tigers were far from impressive and rather ordinary.
Leanne
Guest
Richmond will not finish ninth they will finish in the top four
me too
Roar Rookie
well i checked it out. Richmond average 11.5 in position since the start of the AFL in 1990. But they have finished 9th more than any other position. Got the rep between 95-2008. 6 times in 13 years! So Ninthmond it is! ps - their average over the last 5 years is...9th!
me too
Roar Rookie
over the last twenty odd years - what's their average position?
Beny Iniesta
Guest
I'd guess about 2005. I reckon they've finished last more than they've finished 9th this century.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
I'd reckon the Tigers are dreaming if they think they can finish 9th, they won't make the Top 10, won't be anywhere near it - much closer to 13th where they were last year. 12th-14th for mine.
Jonesracing82
Guest
when was the last time Richmond finished 9th? see if you can figure it out without googling it, the answer may suprise you.