What we learned from round three of the NAB CUPafl.com.au
Monday, March 11, 2013Tigers claim a scalpAs much as football clubs try to manage expectations by extolling the virtues of process over results, only one result will suffice for Richmond this year – a return to the finals for the first time in 12 years.
Everyone from the administration, the coaches and players are united in their determination to play off in September, and have expressed such feelings publicly.
This if course increases pressure on all at Tigerland to perform, but they know it's time to walk the talk.
In fact, many Tigers believe they should have made the finals last year. Seven times last year they lost games after surrendering the lead in the last quarter. It was soul-destroying stuff.
Their improvement in this area has been one of the most pleasing aspects of their NAB Cup campaign, defeating an embattled Essendon by 10 points at Etihad Stadium and pipping a winless Hawthorn by a point at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
If this composure remains, it might well signal the end of a finals drought that stretches back to 2001.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-11/what-we-learned