NINE rounds into season 2010, the only talking point when it came to Richmond was, ‘will they win a game?’
Most footy fans didn’t think so, comparing this year’s breed of Tiger to the hapless Fitzroy outfit of 1996. They were 0-9, with a dismal percentage of 56.2, and seemingly not much hope of troubling the scorers anytime soon.
What a difference a month makes. In its past four games, Richmond are 3-1 (the loss coming after a spirited performance against the Saints), with a percentage of 126.6.
Plaudits have been coming for the Tigers’ attack, and in particular Jack Riewoldt.
He’s kicked 23 goals in his last four outings, helping propel his team from 15th in goals once inside 50 during Rounds 1-9 (21.6 per cent) to seventh from Rounds 10-13 (26.7 per cent).
Richmond's improvement has come right across the ground, not just up forward.
At stoppages, the Tigers have been reasonably strong all year, but their inside midfielders have lifted another gear during the team’s turnaround.
They are averaging 11.8 more clearances than their opposition per game in the past month - ranked No.1 in the AFL - and boast three of the top eight clearance players in the competition during that time:
Clearances Rounds 10-13
| Player | Clearances | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Shane Tuck | 28 | 1st |
| Dustin Martin | 25 | =2nd |
| Trent Cotchin | 21 | =8th |
Importantly, the Tigers have outscored their opposition by 61 points from stoppages in the last four games, ranked second in the league.
The defensive numbers are even more impressive, with sharp improvements in several key stats:
| Stat (ave. per game) | R 1-9 | R 10-13 |
|---|---|---|
| Points against | 120 (16th) | 72.5 (3rd) |
| Inside 50s conceded | 55.2 (15th) | 49.8 (9th) |
| Opposition goal once inside 50 (%) | 31.6 (16th) | 20.1 (1st) |
In short, Richmond’s opponents got the ball inside 50 often, and scored easily once they did in the first nine rounds. Not so anymore.
With a week of rest before their Round 14 home clash with the Sydney Swans, Damien Hardwick’s young team might just about start favourites to notch their fourth win of the year.
Could anyone have predicted that a month ago?
