Sugar hit or substance? Tigers tease finals threat Catherine Healey
Fox Sports
June 28th, 2023 9:07 pmWhen Damien Hardwick opted to step away from Richmond, the club was sitting on just three wins from their opening 10 games.
But with interim coach Andrew McQualter at the helm, the Tigers have gone 3-1 to now sit just half a game outside of the top eight.
Their clash with Brisbane at the Gabba now looms as a massive match for their finals hopes – and for McQualter’s chances of securing the head coach role for next season and beyond.
“Richmond, are they making a charge or not?” AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson questioned.
“Has it just been a bit of a sugar hit? Or have they got a bit of substance?
“They knock over Brisbane – guess what? They are back in the frame and talking of being a potential finalist.
“The test always comes the next week and the test is at the Gabba.
“There is so much bearing on this game.”
Robinson said a win at the Gabba would boost McQualter’s resume – after the man himself said he’d “put my hat forward” when the top Tigers’ job comes up.
“Bigger picture? Imagine if McQualter can knock over the Lions at the Gabba? What a tick that is as he pursues the senior coaching job,” Robinson said.
“I don’t know Andrew McQualter. I really like the way he speaks, there’s a certain calmness and reassurance and there’s a confidence in him without being over-the-top excited.
“All the Tiger players who talk about him, they think they’ve got a ripper.”
It’s worth noting no side coming off the bye has won on return against a side (like Brisbane) who played the round prior in 2023.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/sugar-hit-or-substance-tigers-tease-as-finals-threat-but-stars-injury-shame-hinders-hopes/news-story/9df173e9595574ad7e632d61ae7255bd
