Richmond will be looking to extend their current longest AFL winning streak against another club, when they venture away from the familiar confines of the MCG for the first time this season.
The Tigers (3-0) play Brisbane (1-2) at the Gabba on Sunday, having won their last nine games against the Lions
They’ve won their last seven matches in Brisbane, who haven’t beaten the Tigers there since 2004.
Winning interstate proved tough for the Tigers last year, when they lost five out of six matches outside Victoria.
Richmond haven’t won their first four games of a season for 22 years and coach Damien Hardwick is taking nothing for granted against the improving Lions.
“It is always is tough to go away and play interstate,” Hardwick said.
“Brisbane, we’ve played some pretty good footy up there, but we understand it’s a new coaching group up there and it’s going to be game on.
“They are playing some pretty good footy without getting the results.
“Defensively they set up behind the ball very well, offensively there’s some things that they are doing that are quite exciting for their football club.
“We’ve got to make sure that we come prepared to play because they are a side that is capable of kicking high scores in a short period of time.”
Hardwick said new Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, who he knew from their time together on Hawthorn’s coaching staff, was a very hard worker.
“He’s been in the game a long time so he knows what he’s doing, that’s why any side coached by Fages is going to be tough to beat,” Hardwick said.
He isn’t getting too excited about the Tigers start to the season, unlike some of Richmond’s success starved supporters.
“We’re playing some OK football, we’ve still got a fair way to go,” he said.
Former Lions coach Justin Leppitsch returns to Brisbane as a Tigers assistant coach.
“He obviously knows all our players bar a couple maybe, but it doesn’t change much at all,” Lions’ stalwart Daniel Rich said.
“Even though they have started the season really well, it’s a good opportunity for us to go out and show the crowd and our fans that we are improving week in week out and we are learning from previous weeks.”
Richmond have replaced forward Ben Lennon with midfielder Connor Menadue..
Brisbane will debut Cedric Cox and have recalled Claye Beams, while omitting Jack Frost and Jake Barrett.
Jonesracing82
Guest
there are many teams rated well above us, no1 has us in thier top 8, how that is "overrated" i will never know....
Philby
Guest
Well, I'm happy with the start, but I'll give the vaudeville optimism a wide berth for now. Our list is really looking good, but we really don't have a genuine centre half forward - and that is a pretty big hole to fill.
Slane
Guest
I'd have thought most people had Richmond as a bottom 6 team before the season. Even if you think they will take home the spoon this year that hardly makes them the most overrated team in the AFL.
me too
Roar Rookie
Richmond - April Premiers for the first time since 1995! Actually made a prelim that year- lost by 89 points.
mattyb
Guest
FBS,at this point in the season you'd probably be the websites most accurate commentator due to the Tigers early season form so it's hard to completely ignore your early premiership call. I'd expect Richmond to win this week and continue what has been a brilliant start to the season.
Cat
Roar Guru
Most overrated team in AFL, but they will continue winning this week thanks to a soft fixture to start the year. Tigers will start 4-0 then fall back to 5-4.
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
We will be premiers in 2017. I can't see us losing a game this year. I think we are on the brink of a yellow and black dynasty. It's Tiger time folks!