A bullish Damien Hardwick has declared Richmond ready to recapture the frenetic intensity that led them to AFL premiership glory last September.
The minor premiers’ last hit-out for the season was a dead rubber and it showed in their unusually flat performance, with the Tigers barely scraping through for a three-point victory over the bottom-six Western Bulldogs.
Hardwick was quick to concede such a performance would not suffice in the cauldron-like atmosphere of finals football.
But the Tigers coach is backing his players to find another gear when they face Hawthorn in next Thursday’s qualifying final at what’s certain to be a near-sellout MCG.
“Last week was probably the one where we felt we had that (top) position sewn up,” Hardwick said.
“As a coach you can sit there and try and read the tea leaves but the reality is as soon as that ball’s bounced, the players play. That’s what we’ve done all throughout the year and that’s’ what we’ll do again on Thursday night.
“I’m very confident our boys will hunt the opposition and get the game on our terms if we play our best footy.”
The Tigers only lost four games this year – all outside of Victoria – but in each of those losses, their opponents were able to retain possession and stave off the Tigers’ pressure.
Hawthorn will likely take a similar approach given their ability to control the ball has been a hallmark of their success under master-coach Alastair Clarkson.
“Our pressure numbers have been down but we’ve been winning the ball back anyway,” Hardwick said.
“We defend really hard when we need to but the opposition at stages can take that away from us in the way that they play.
“They’re challenges that present themselves to us as coaches and we’ve got to continue to challenge our players to get better at that area of the game.”
Star midfielder Kane Lambert and small forward Dan Butler will both train on Thursday and are expected to be available to return from ankle injuries.
Butler, who has been sidelined since round 16, is set to play in the VFL on Saturday night and Hardwick conceded the five-day break before Thursday’s qualifying final could hurt his chances of being selected at senior level.
“He’s an important player to the way we want to play the game so we’ll give him every chance to put his hand up to play,” Hardwick said.
“He’s missed seven weeks so there’s a little bit of a risk there but we completely back in our medical team.”
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Just as Butler is a great in for the Tigers, so is Kennedy for the Eagles.Rust as well as grit have a habit of slowing things down.Kennedy can shape a game so I'm hoping his rough edges are gone by the third week. The great thing is that every team that's left has a legitimate hope of saluting and are not just making up the eight.Richmond just has forgotten how to lose.Hawks and Cats are riding the adrenaline buzz.Melbourne doesn't want to blow it,nor does GWS. Sydney have been there so many times and know what to do. Collingwood with their"swoop squad",(give me strength), and if all their once injured ins don't blow up in match-day match-ups have some chance,but not for three or,as is likely,four games. Which leaves the Eagles. Better than almost everyone thought or even welded on supporters could dream of. As any fan would say,just get us into the Grandie and let's see what happens
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Richie if that comment is directed at me I didn't even know about any leaderboard and wouldn't know how to find it if there is one. I rarely copy and paste a thread unless it's relevant in a couple of articles and if so I try and acknowledge the duplicate. Keep swinging though, one day you might just catch the edge of one.
Realist
Guest
Did you notice that Richmond's pressure rating in their Round 20 win over the Cats was the highest by any team for the year? Proves Tigers can, and will, flick the switch when they need to get the job done.
RT
Roar Rookie
I have a bad feeling you are spot on. It is hard to know actually since it is so long since those two potential grand finalists have played, not to mention a couple of injuries and a big gaffe later too. One week at a time....
RT
Roar Rookie
How to get 2nd on the comments leaderboard...just copy and paste the same comment on multiple articles.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Unconvincing 8 point win against Bombers, Cats was like 3 points and the lowly Dogs nearly beat you. Suns are a rabble and don't count. Average form.
Realist
Guest
Haha! Another own goal, "Snide"!
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Switches,gears,finely tuned machines... Grit tends to bring them to a grinding halt. I'm afraid that the Pies don't have enough,despite permanent tiger shamer's best hopes. Out in the 2nd week In the Eagles /Tigers Grand Final of 2018 of course Richmond will bring their best but it won't be enough
Mark Blake
Guest
winning and finishing on top is pretty good form pete.don't gets stats mixed up with the final result.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Bad form since round 17 that saw wins against, Collingwood, Geelong, Suns, Bombers, Saints & Bulldogs. Terrible form ... bottom 6 effort.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Yet they kept on winning. Could be a bad sign for their opponents to come. Bad form is your relentless carrying on to suit . . . your own 'snide' agenda.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Interesting stats in the Herald Sun today showing the Tigers famed "pressure points" since round 17 are bottom 6 in the competition, Freo are even ahead of them. if that's not bad form I don't know what is.
Realist
Guest
Spot on!
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Really misleading headline, this one. Hardwick has never, ever said,' Tigers can flick the switch to recapture finals form.' The editors at AAP taking liberties which further 'proves' the arrogance of everyone associated with the Tigers. Unfortunately those with an axe to grind hold rubbish like this up as 'proof' of our arrogance . . . probably don't even read beyond the headline.