Formed: 1885
Joined AFL: 1908
Premierships: 10 – 1920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980
Last finals appearance: 2001, preliminary final (v Brisbane Lions)

After two seasons of solid progress under Terry Wallace, Richmond went profoundly backwards in 2007. Winless until round 12, the Tigers won only three games for the season and finished with the wooden spoon.

When a round one win over Carlton was followed by heavy losses to North Melbourne and Collingwood, the Tigers again looked destined for the bottom half of the ladder. But a win over Fremantle kickstarted a run in which Richmond has won six of 13 games, with a draw against the second-placed Western Bulldogs. Consecutive wins, the most recent against Essendon, mean the Tigers remain in the finals hunt.

Wallace earned a reputation as something of an innovator in seven years (and four finals series) with the Western Bulldogs between 1996 and 2002. He’s certainly reinforced that perception this year. Under the pump after three rounds, he switched Matthew Richardson to the wing and the Tigers have been on the upward climb ever since.

A question mark must still hang over the fitness of Richardson, who has missed the past two outings with a hamstring injury but is expected to play. Aside from that, the Tigers are relatively injury-free. Graham Polak, who was struck by a tram several weeks ago, and Kayne Pettifer, who is facing a knee reconstruction, are the only established senior players on the long-term injury list.

With Richardson still nominally in doubt, this mantle falls to Nathan Brown, who is certainly one Richmond player capable of altering a game off his own boot. The former Western Bulldog has hurt the Lions in the past – almost single-handedly stealing a win for the Tigers at the Gabba in 2005 – and booted three vital last-quarter goals against Essendon last week. The 30-year-old may never return to the form he displayed prior to breaking his leg three years ago, but season returns of 31 goals and 20 possessions-per-game are well above average.

If West Coast had its time again, you’d imagine Mitch Morton would have been traded for more than a second round draft pick. Originally a father-son selection of the Eagles, but playing only 12 games there over three years, Morton has flourished as a Tiger. In 11 games at Richmond he hasn’t really been prolific – only 95 kicks to date. But 26 of them have been goals, including 15 from his last four outings.

If Richardson is available he gives Richmond a rare gem – a 33-year-old, 195cm wingman/key forward in close to career-best form and with more than 750 goals to his credit. Elsewhere, Troy Simmonds is a more-than-capable ruckman, Brett Deledio is fulfilling his potential, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Cleve Hughes are exciting youngsters and Joel Bowden and Kane Johnson bring real experience. Richard Tambling has recently hinted at why he was taken with the No. 4 pick in 2004 National Draft and Nathan Foley has emerged as one of the competition’s top young midfielders. Wallace has the Tigers playing confident, free-flowing football and the 1664 points they have produced is the sixth-highest mark in the league – a solitary point behind the Lions.

Richmond still has some issues in defence, where Bowden has in previous years played as an undersized key defender and the likes of Luke McGuane and Will Thursfield lack experience. Polak’s absence isn’t helping, given the Tigers have conceded 1717 points to date in 2008 – the fourth most in the league. How they will handle Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw is an interesting question. At their best, the Tigers have pushed Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, twice beaten Essendon and thumped the West Coast Eagles. At worst, they were belted by Adelaide and the Sydney Swans in consecutive weeks.

In 14 matches before injuring his hamstring, Richardson averaged more than 18 possessions, 10 marks and 2.5 goals per game. Nathan Foley had 31 disposals and four tackles against the Bombers – his third 30-plus game of the season. Underrated Shane Tuck has quietly worked his way to an impressive year, averaging more than 22 touches a game and leading the club in tackles (60).

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club