BARRETT: Forget a fourth Tigers flagMathematics says Richmond is still alive in 2021, but footy logic says otherwise, writes Damian Barrett
By Damian Barrett
afl.com.au
12 July 2021THE CUMULATIVE toll of defying odds, fatigue, scandal, injuries, form and maybe even footy karma now seems insurmountable.
And while I am too-wedded to the mantra that Richmond remains alive in the 2021 premiership battle until mathematics proves it isn't, football logic says it is dead.
Richmond sits 12th after another loss, this time to Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, and has Brisbane and Geelong in its next two assignments.
Since leading West Coast by four goals with half a quarter to play and then conceding those four goals to record a dismal loss, the Tigers have seemed shot. They then managed just two goals – again, absorb that slowly, the team which has won three of the past four flags scored only two goals in a match – against St Kilda in round 15, then lost to Gold Coast the following week.
Against the Pies at three-quarter time, they were 20 points clear, but managed one goal to seven thereafter.
In the 2020 COVID-19 impacted season, Richmond drew extraordinary power from self-inflicted adversity, including behavioural breaches which deeply angered the AFL and rival clubs.
But mounting a premiership charge one more time now appears a task too great. Richmond just doesn't have the aura that played more with the minds than bodies of opponents.
Even making finals seems beyond the Tigers right now.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/646569/barrett-forget-a-fourth-tigers-flag-a-new-contender-rises