Changing of the guardby Grandstand's Dan Lonergan
ABC
Monday May 9, 2011The big four AFL clubs in Victoria are Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond and Essendon and it's been 38 seasons since they have all made the finals together - when there was a top five.
Now that we have a top eight, which could extend to maybe a final 10 in years to come, the chances of them participating in the same finals campaign should increase.
However it just indicates how much the game has changed that these former powerhouses have not been the finals rivals they were when sideburns, flares and even black and white TV were the norm.
It's early days but there's a chance all five could be there in September this year after good starts to the season.
Collingwood remains the yardstick and should finish on top. Carlton has made giant strides and is a legitimate top four contender.
Essendon has improved dramatically under favourite son James Hird. And Richmond, after many barren years, is rebuilding much quicker than anticipated thanks to the astute coaching of Damien Hardwick.
The Tigers are just outside the top eight and have won their past three, with a breathtaking brand of footy where their pace in particular has sliced up the opposition - especially on the weekend against Fremantle.
After recruiting many recycled players, which didn't work, Hardwick arrived intent on drafting the best young players and only looked at players from other clubs for specific needs.
He decided to build the midfield first and snapped up the sublime Dustin Martin with the third pick in the National Draft in 2009.
Melbourne had the first two selections and chose Tom Scully and Jack Trengove. Both have been terrific so far and should be outstanding players, but there is a touch of 2001 in that draft when Luke Hodge and Luke Ball got selected before West Coast pounced on Chris Judd.
Hodge and Ball are stars, but Judd is on track to be one of the game's greatest ever midfielders.
Martin, even though it's only his second season, is showing similar capabilities with his pace, skill and strength all formidable features and aspects.
Throw in a fit Trent Cotchin and two hard-bodied midfielders who were rejected by their original clubs - Bachar Houli and Shaun Grigg - along with Brett Delidio and Nathan Foley and the Tigers have a midfield that is fast becoming elite in this competition.
The forward line looks more potent this year with the exciting Jack Reiwoldt not relied upon to kick most of their goals as Tyrone Vickery continues to improve and the fleet-footed Jake King and Robin Nahas also have an impact on the scoreboard.
Tiger fans have a reputation of getting ahead of themselves, but it seems their side is doing better than even they would have thought.
The key is to keep it going and the next two weeks could set up their season against the Western Bulldogs, who will be basically playing for their season after a terrible start, and the rejuvenated Essendon.
They should be too quick and hungry for the Bulldogs, which sets up a blockbuster in front of a massive crowd at the MCG in the annual Dreamtime at the 'G clash.
The AFL needs Richmond up and about, because of its passionate supporters, who have been success starved for too long.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/thesportsdesk/2011/05/changing-of-the-guard.html
