Ahead of the bye rounds, see how your side is shaping up in 2013 Sam Landsberger
From: Herald Sun
June 05, 2013 5:22PMRICHMOND (7th - 6-4)BEST WIN: Round 10 v West Coast (Patersons Stadium)
A complete performance in which everything clicked for the Tigers - interstate against a touted top-four contender. Defenders Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin repelled nearly every West Coast attack and Richmond moved the ball with skill and speed into a multi-pronged forward line. When Richmond plays like that it's a chance against anyone - the challenge is to produce it consistently.
WORST LOSS: Round 9 v Essendon (MCG)
A disappointing failure on the big stage, with the Tigers never in the contest after a scrappy opening term. Smashed in the midfield, Essendon's pressure made Richmond look like the bad Tigers of old, with repeated turnovers coming out of defence prompting many to ask if this team had actually improved at all. For an answer to that question, see what happened the next week in response to question one above.
SUPERCOACH STUD: Nick Vlastuin ($414,000 def/mid)
Damien Hardwick didn't rush his top draft pick from last year, blooding him in Round 5 against Fremantle. Vlastuin had 11 disposals and four tackles that night and hasn't looked back, his value skyrocketing by more than $250,000 as he averaged more than 90 points a game. Now worth more than Hamish Hartlett and averaging more than Corey Enright, "Tigga" looks like a keeper in our backlines for the rest of the year.
HIGHLIGHT: Hard to beat Monday's win against the Eagles and the emergence of Vlastuin, but Richmond's first-quarter blitz against Port Adelaide, when they kicked five goals in eight minutes, was breathtaking to watch. It included three goals in as many minutes when Vlastuin's first AFL goal was followed by consecutive majors from centre clearances, including a Jack Riewoldt banana on the run. For an individual highlight, Luke McGuane's huge speccy against St Kilda was the best grab by a Tiger this year.
ROAD AHEAD: The Tigers have the chance to set up their first finals appearance in 12 years in the next month, with winnable matches against Adelaide (MCG), Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium), St Kilda (MCG) and North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium) following the bye. If they can beat their Cairns hoodoo against Gold Coast the next week, Tiger fans can just about clear their September diary. Tough assignments to come include face Fremantle, Hawthorn and Carlton (MCG) and Sydney away - if things don't go to plan it might all come down to a final-round clash against Essendon.
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