RISE OF THE TIGERS
There is more to Richmond than just the silverware stemming from the establishment of an unexpected dynasty. Two premierships in three years, sure, and add in flag favouritism for 2020 too.
Just where the Tigers end up sitting among the great modern-day teams only time will tell, but this is about more than just on-field success at Punt Road.
It’s about leaving something other than premiership cups behind. After all, Richmond had gone 15 years without winning a final before its 2017 success, its first flag since 1980. Another followed last year.
These Tigers, coach Damien Hardwick and his staff are heroes to a fan base that had been starved of success. But there’s more to this Richmond.
Ask some of those at Tigerland the reasons for their success and while the answers vary, they follow a similar theme – but few are directly about what happens on the field.
Connection. Closeness. Care. Comfort to be yourself and having the right – and good – people in the right roles.
This Richmond’s culture has transformed the club and is likely to leave a legacy, but that will come as it enjoys its journey rather than eyeing a destination. And it has fun doing so.
Hardwick spoke to his players about dynasties ahead of 2019, having suffered a preliminary final loss to Collingwood the year prior, ending the Tigers’ back-to-back bid. It was a 2018 in which Richmond won 18 games during the home and away season, an equal best for the club.
“He made the point that it’s harder to get back there and we almost did it, but there’s still a chance for us to do that, it’s not like this is the last game we’ve ever played, or that one half we played against Collingwood ruined our whole dynasty,” says Tigers star Shane Edwards.
“It’s about leaving a legacy and
