From premiership contenders to not playing finals

[mat073]

A wake up call is not such a bad thing on the eve of the finals.

Every team has them.

No need to lose our heads.

[Yeahright]

This must be how Hawthorn felt after losing to us

[Diocletian]

You mean minus the comfort of already having back to back flags and three flags since 2008 already under their belts?

[Yeahright]

You mean minus the comfort of already having back to back flags and three flags since 2008 already under their belts?

If they are happy living in the past, sure

[Lozza]

To be honest if we did head into finals like last year after having strung a number of wins together you just know a loss is around the corner, its just so hard to be up for every game. Obviously last night we were very down but with a handful of games to the finals its now a case of building momentum so that we are cherry ripe at the right time. It is a marathon not a sprint so time will tell whether we have the form at the business end of the season to make some impact.

[dwaino]

To be honest if we did head into finals like last year after having strung a number of wins together you just know a loss is around the corner, its just so hard to be up for every game. Obviously last night we were very down but with a handful of games to the finals its now a case of building momentum so that we are cherry ripe at the right time. It is a marathon not a sprint so time will tell whether we have the form at the business end of the season to make some impact.

I would have taken the win any day but at least we can now take a look how the kind of opposition we will face first week of finals will play against us and now we have to go back through the vision and find a way to beat it. No loss is good but you're right that it is probably a good time to have one if any time there was. We have the second best form line over the past 27 weeks, we just need a couple more where it matters and I take back my criticisms of Hardwick. I believe he can take us to the promised land but the personal is just a bit lacking at the moment.

[Dougeytherichmondfan]

Finals are in no way a lock. Adelaide winning last night means nothing short of 13 wins is required. Go to the AFL ladder predictor and see how it finishes. We'll need %, and to pick up a win against North or the Pies (assuming we beat GC and the Bummers).

Its that tight. Last night hurt in a lot of ways, massive reality check, but most importantly its hurt out finals campaign big time.

[pmac21]

If swans/hawks lose what could have been in terms of top 4. 
This weekend's results look like they are going to pan out the worst possible way!!

[Francois Jackson]

We are 2 pts away from ninth now . Finals are very much alive for all 9/10 teams

[one-eyed]

Given the hit to our percentage and North with their soft draw playing Melbourne tomorrow, we'll end up dropping to 7th by the end of this round  .

1. Fremantle  60*  127%
2. West Co.   54   150%
3. Hawthorn   52   162%
4. Bulldogs    48   117.1%
5. Sydney      48   112.4%
6. Richmond   44   108.9%
7. Geelong     42   104.6%
8. Adelaide     42   104.5%
----------------------------
9. North        40*  107.2%
10. Coll'wood 36    111.9%
11. GWS       36*  100.3%

[Fluffy Tiger]

The non game between  Geelong  and Adelaide  could really  come  and bite us.

[Eat_em_Alive]

There's 4 games left. I think we can win 3 if not 4 of them but jeez wouldn't be suprised if we finish 8th and the doggies host us at Etihad  in week 1

[sugark]

If we make it, there is no way known that the AFL would fixture a Richmond final at Etihad. It's all about the cash

[WilliamPowell]

We have never been a premiership contender this year despite the media carrying like somehow we are.

To be a premiership contender you have to be guaranteed a place in this the finals.

And again despite the media talking us up we weren't in that position going into Friday night's game and it's now Sunday and we are still not in that position

Have always maitained get yourself into the finals first and then worry about where you finish

So my tip to the RFC is win 2 more games, lock up a finals birth and then see where you finish

And BTW if we make it there is no way the AFL will schedule us at Etihad. sugary is 100% correct, it's about money and we will guarantee big crowds

[one-eyed]

Officially now 7th.

1. Fremantle  60*  127%
2. West Co.   54   150%
3. Hawthorn   52   162%
4. Bulldogs    48   117.1%
5. Sydney      48   112.4%
6. North         44  109.0%
7. Richmond   44   108.9%
8. Geelong     42   104.6%
----------------------------
9. Adelaide     42   104.5%