Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and the Tigers walk off the Gabba. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

RICHMOND'S 2020 triumph has shot instantly above premierships in 2017 and 2019, according to coach Damien Hardwick. 

The Tigers celebrated their third flag in four years on Saturday night after a 52-point swing from late in the second term to the final siren. 

TIGERS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

In the most disjointed season in AFL history, Hardwick believes the effort for his club to win while on the road only added to the importance. 

07:54

Highlights: Richmond v Geelong

The Tigers and Cats clash in the 2020 grand final

"They're all different, (but) this one I think this one is extra significant," Hardwick said post-game. 

"What we had to go through to get here, the 100-odd days in a hub, how hard the AFL, Queensland Government, the people in Victoria did it … it's just an enormous achievement. 

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"I sit here and see where we were at the start of the year and where we ended up is just significant. I can't speak highly enough of (captain) Trent (Cotchin) and his playing group and how they dealt with it. 

"(CEO) Brendon Gale and (head of football) Tim Livingstone, we've just got a wonderful group of people who help us get the job done." 

16:57

Dimma: 'This one's extra significant after what we went through'

A proud Damien Hardwick believes this premiership victory was more meaningful after enduring one of the toughest years the game has ever seen

Hardwick conceded he had a negative influence on his playing group after the season restart in June as the Tigers went winless from rounds two to four. 

He was then pulled into line by Gale and Livingstone before reaching out to NFL franchises for some words of wisdom. 

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"I couldn't understand why we were made to separate from training, the early days of COVID (I) wasn't quite sure what was going on," Hardwick said. 

"We're hearing all this, what I thought was 'propaganda' about the virus. 

"And I said, 'We can't see it, I'm not seeing zombies walk down the street'. 

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"I was really struggling to get my head around it and if I'm struggling, (I was thinking) the players are going to feed off that energy. 

"I was at my worst early days and we spoke to a number of (NFL) organisations and I thought I made a crucial mistake at the start and our form reflected it." 

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 16:57

    Dimma: 'This one's extra significant after what we went through'

    A proud Damien Hardwick believes this premiership victory was more meaningful after enduring one of the toughest years the game has ever seen

    AFL
  • 15:23

    Scott: 'They were just too good for us'

    An emotional Chris Scott concedes his side were overwhelmed by Richmond's system in the end and stated 'if there's a dignified way to go down, it's to the best'

    AFL
  • 07:54

    Highlights: Richmond v Geelong

    The Tigers and Cats clash in the 2020 grand final

    AFL
  • 00:27

    Riewoldt's heartwarming medal reception

    Jack Riewoldt receives his third premiership medal with a beautiful message attached

    AFL
  • 01:04

    One of the greatest ever says farewell, we'll miss you Gaz

    Gary Ablett's illustrious career has come to an end, with the champion leaving the field for the last time to a resounding applause

    AFL
  • 04:18

    Dusty writes history with astounding third Norm

    Dustin Martin could just be the greatest finals player we've ever seen after this absolutely freakish Grand Final performance that won him a third Norm Smith Medal

    AFL
  • 00:51

    Cat goes down in huge collision with teammate

    A courageous mark from Sam Menegola is dampened by a worrying injury to youngster Sam Simpson, who is stretchered off the field after this incident

    AFL
  • 00:23

    Wow Dusty, you are in a league of your own

    Dustin Martin all but seals a third Norm Smith Medal after this unbelievable goal inches Richmond one step closer

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Dusty activates beast mode with staggering goal

    Dustin Martin gives the Tigers the lead after stunning everyone with another sensational solo goal

    AFL
  • 00:18

    Gaz inspires while quick Cats counter through Miers

    Geelong was crying out for a settler and find one after a terrific team build-up presents the ball to Gryan Miers

    AFL
  • 00:23

    Martin mesmerising in a Grand Final yet again

    The Tigers were desperate for a goal and their superstar obliges with a simply superb effort that only Dustin Martin could conjure

    AFL
  • 00:24

    The Little Master's stunning tricks can't be missed

    Retiring champion Gary Ablett produces a moment of absolute magic with this exquisite handball

    AFL
  • 00:33

    Find out who claims gold in the Grand Final sprint

    Enjoy the quickest players going head-to-head in this thrilling Colgate AFL Grand Final sprint

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Dion draws first blood for the Tigers

    A clever team build-up sees Richmond snare the opening goal of the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final through Dion Prestia

    AFL
  • 00:38

    Footy world in shock as Ablett and Tiger helped off

    An extraordinary and devastating start to the Toyota AFL Grand Final with both Gary Ablett and Nick Vlastuin forced to leave the field early following two heavy collisions

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  • 04:49

    Enjoy the stirring pre-game package for the AFL Grand Final

    Check out the best bits from the Toyota AFL Grand Final's pre-game entertainment

    AFL

Sitting alongside Dustin Martin post-match, Hardwick paid tribute to his midfield superstar who claimed his third Norm Smith while pointing to the impact of his second-quarter goal that wrestled back momentum. 

"We just needed a goal, we couldn't buy one," he said. 

"It's what great players do, they take their opportunities and they get the job done. That's why he sits here with his third Norm Smith."

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