Old Tigers excited, but call for calm Sam Edmund
From: Sunday Herald Sun
June 03, 2012 RICHMOND'S illustrious alumni is calling for calm after the Tigers' fourth win in five games stamped them as legitimate finals contenders.
After years of false promises and shattered hopes, September is within reach for a side powered by an emerging defence, irresistible midfield and thrill-a-minute forward line.
But two members of the club's last premiership side, of 1980, are doing their best to keep the lid on - and the current-day stars are following suit.
On a day when Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt declared there was a long way to go, greats Dale Weightman and Michael Roach weren't getting carried away.
"You have to look at the performances this year and we've been thereabouts with all the top sides," Weightman said.
"The last couple of weeks we've got some reward for effort. They're learning every week and I just reckon they're getting themselves into a position to at least be a chance to make the eight.
"We're still only 5-5 and we've still got a long way to go, but we're on the right track. The thing I like is they haven't got ahead of themselves. I reckon in the past a few of them have been caught in the hype, but they're very level-headed and it's all back to basics."
Roach acknowledged the positive outlook, but said no one should be seduced into making grand predictions.
"It's been exciting to see them play good footy, but it's Round 10 ... we've maybe been in this position a couple of times before," Roach said.
"In saying that, I think we're a better side now than we've been for a while. We've got to win the games now that maybe we should win and if our form continues we should be OK, but we don't want to get too carried away."
The Tigers have emerged from a horror opening schedule at 5-5 and have winnable games against Fremantle and GWS in the next fortnight. They should go into the bye at 7-5 with Adelaide, Melbourne and Gold Coast to follow.
Riewoldt, who capped a best-on-ground display against St Kilda on Friday night with eight goals, said the lid was "firmly on". "We're still 5-5 and not inside the eight. We've still got to improve a fair way," he told 3AW.
But he acknowledged the famous yellow and black army was waking from its slumber.
"Last night was a St Kilda home game and our fans were outstanding. The way the Tigers (fans) roar really gives you a sense of belonging to this football club," he said.
"They're the best fans in the league by far, we've got the best theme song in the league by far and I love nothing more than singing it at the end of the game."
Midfielder Cotchin told Triple M: "We're working towards improving each week and lifting that standard of performance.
"Who knows where it can take us? But if we can
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