Richmond talks finals chances down Matt Windley
From: Herald Sun
June 04, 2012 RICHMOND president Gary March has urged Tigers fans to keep their excitement in check after the drought-breaking win against St Kilda on Friday night.
The win, following last week's demolition of flag favourite Hawthorn, has Tigers fans dreaming of September action for the first time since 2001.
But March said yesterday Richmond still had a long way to go.
"We're still not in the eight," he said.
"We've won five games, but we've also lost five games so we're under no illusions that we've got a lot of work left to do.
"We're a very young list and what is exciting for Tiger fans, and us involved directly at the club, is that we can see where the club is heading and there's a lot of good years ahead of this football club now, and that's the important thing.
"While it would be great to break in to the top eight at some stage this year, it's more important that we're on a journey that can see us sustain finals footy in years to come."
Richmond's on-field success at the weekend was matched off the field when more than $2.3 million was raised for the Fighting Tiger Fund at a dinner on Saturday night.
Richmond is now within $500,000 of the $6 million target it set last year to reduce its debt and allow it to spend more on its football department.
"It reinforces what we've been telling our people for the last 18 months about the journey we're on and where we're trying to take the club," March said.
"The results of the first half of this year are probably going a long way to reinforcing their belief in the systems that have been put in place.
"Most of the donors (on Saturday night) were anonymous, and want to remain anonymous, but what I would say is that we've been very fortunate over the period of the Fighting Tiger Fund to have some very generous benefactors that have bought into our plan and our vision."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/richmond-talks-finals-chances-down/story-e6frf9jf-1226382023990