CAN IMPROVING TIGERS MAKE FINALS CHARGE UNDER MCQUALTER?By Lachlan Geleit
SEN
11 June 2023Richmond’s finals hopes are alive following their upset 70-85 win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium last night.
With wins in their last two games, Richmond holds a 5-1-7 record and just six points behind the eighth-placed Western Bulldogs.
As the Tigers look to have improved in recent weeks under interim coach Andrew McQualter, journalist Damian Barrett believes Richmond are a genuine finals threat.
He discussed the side’s form and McQualter taking over from Damien Hardwick with Tony Jones and Matthew Lloyd on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
Jones: “If you're a Richmond supporter watching at the moment, can they (play finals)?”
Barrett: “Yeah, they can, they’re just six points out (of the eight) as we just saw on the ladder. “I've got no doubt that with the remaining 10 games, they're at least going to cause some problems which they did last night for the Dockers. ”
Lloyd: “What do you say to Damien Hardwick walking out when he did, he felt that there was nothing really much to gain from the season.
“It may help Richmond on the field.”
Jones: “Was it more his (Hardwick’s) mindset (that caused him to depart)?”
Barrett: “I think it was.
“They lost that game to Essendon by a point and then lost the first game under Andrew McQualter by 10 points against Port Adelaide.
“Then they’ve won the past two, the first by six points against GWS and last night by 15 against Fremantle.
“They toughed out both of them, and they've got a draw which I think is favourable to them to at least keep this dream alive.”
The Tigers will hope to win their third-straight game when they take on St Kilda in the MCG on Saturday.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/06/11/can-improving-tigers-make-finals-charge-under-mcqualter/