After 3-0 start to the AFL season, are Richmond finally on track to take part in September action? By Jon Ralph
Herald Sun
April 15, 2013 10:55AMFirst came dealing with the competition's easybeats. Now comes handling the hype.
From the moment Brett Deledio streamed to 50m and kicked a goal 10 seconds into Sunday's's clash against Western Bulldogs, victory was assured.
The Tigers banked a third season win after a trio of victories against sides that have just two collective wins from nine games between them.
Yet it was the manner in which Richmond defeated the Dogs that has the Tiger Army gushing and rivals daring to believe this side is finally the real deal.
The Tigers showboated at times, kicked woefully for goal in the first quarter and endured Jack Riewoldt's endearing mix - brilliance and petulance.
None of it mattered, because the Tigers' trio of midfield stars and a collective will to smash the Dogs combined for a regulation 67-point win.
Dustin Martin played perhaps his best game in Richmond colours, Trent Cotchin is close to untaggable after seeing off in-form Bulldog Nick Lower, and Brett Deledio (three goals, 27 touches) is headed for another All-Australian nod.
The team defence and back six were both impenetrable, the under-rated Shaun Grigg did a number on Tom Liberatore, and the recent inclusions in Ricky Petterd and Troy Chaplin are both looking inspired recruits.
So that hype?
By next Saturday's clash against Collingwood it will be off the richter scale, because on available evidence from three games, Richmond is on track for September.
In 1995, after their most recent 3-0 start, Richmond eventually went 11-1 before winning through to the preliminary final with that barnstorming Matthew Knights-inspired run.
The Tigers might need just nine more wins from 19 games, and still face Melbourne, the Dogs again, nemesis Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney as well as Brisbane (MCG) and St Kilda again.
The intoxicating sniff of finals would be enough to derail plenty, but former captain and finals virgin Chris Newman says winning is enough right now for a side which had won just two-and-a-half games in rounds one-three in the past five years.
"It's just so good to be winning, but we have got a really good test in Collingwood coming up,'' he said.
"We have lost so many games in the past that it's a great feeling to be winning."
Daniel Jackson, labelled Richmond's best player of the season so far by Damien Hardwick post-match, said Richmond was ready to handle that expectation.
"The best thing is our focus is always about the little things - win contested footy and clearances and then play our running game from there. We have got a very level-headed group here - there are no egos and we want to play together and win together.''
His summary of the match was precise - Richmond won the tackle count despite 110 more possessions, and until a more even final term were nine clearances up and had limited the Dogs to a miserly 21 inside-50s at three-quarter time.
At times as they retain possession and chip the ball around some might believe they run wide of the real action, but that disguises the blue-collar heart of this side.
Despite his antics, Riewoldt would finish five goals - three in junk time - while Luke McGuane (three goals, three score assists) continues to grow in stature.
For the first time this year the Dogs barely gave a yelp, demolished in close and simply unable to get the point back against the pin-point disposal of the Tigers.
Liam Jones beat Alex Rance comprehensively, while the only other bright sparks for Brendan McCartney would be Adam Cooney's run and vigor and perhaps Tom Young and Jordan Roughead in defence.
Now Richmond needs a scalp of real quality, and with Collingwood and Fremantle away in coming weeks, what better chance to show they are made of real substance this year.
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/after-3-0-start-to-the-afl-season-are-richmond-finally-on-track-to-take-part-in-september-action/story-e6frfkp9-1226620590103
