'We belong at the top': Tigers eye return to flag-winning waysRichmond has had a mixed start to the season but the Tigers are confident they can still be flag contenders
By AAP
4 March 2023 TWO-TIME premiership winger Kamdyn McIntosh has declared Richmond can win the flag as the Tigers prepare to welcome back Dustin Martin and Jacob Hopper.
The Tigers sit 1-1-1 after a draw with Carlton, a win over Adelaide and a loss to Collingwood in the first three rounds.
After a couple of leaner years, missing the finals in 2021 then making an elimination final exit last year, McIntosh was confident a reinvigorated Richmond could contend again this year.
"'Dimma' (Damien Hardwick) is really good at emphasising how good a side we are when we're at our best and I think that we just want to show everyone that we are a good side, and we belong at the top," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"The last couple of years we haven't been up there.
"This year is a year that we really want to show ourselves and just put our foot down."
The Tigers recruited Hopper and teammate Tim Taranto to rejuvenate their midfield while Maurice Rioli, Samson Ryan and Hugo Ralphsmith have all given spark.
"I think (we can contend). We've brought in a couple of great recruits - Hopper and Taranto. Having a healthy list will help as well," McIntosh said.
"When the team's firing at our best, we can beat anyone and we believe that.
"We've got a great side, our connection, the camaraderie around the playing group's amazing. So I think we can go far."
McIntosh will play his 150th game against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday.
Hopper (knee) and Martin (hamstring/general soreness) will add much-needed power and explosiveness to a Richmond outfit well beaten by Collingwood around the contest.
"They trained well today, so they should be up for selection this week, I'm assuming," said McIntosh.
But Jayden Short (calf) will likely wait another week or two after limited training time on Tuesday.
"'Shorty', he's out on the sidelines chirping up but his calf's looking alright," McIntosh said.
"Hopefully maybe another week or two (away). I'm not 100 per cent sure."
McIntosh will have family over from Western Australia for his milestone match, the first time since 2019, when he missed out on both the VFL and AFL premierships as an unused emergency held over for the senior grand final.
The hard-running winger said the hunger to add to his 2017 premiership medal had motivated him to help the Tigers claim the 2020 flag, while he was confident he still had plenty of years left in him.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/896893/-we-belong-at-the-top-tigers-eye-return-to-flag-winning-ways
