Each week, The Behind Post looks at whoโs falling behind the pack and failing to live up to expectations. If things donโt go according to plan for this player or team this round, they could well be bashed from pillar to post come Monday morning.
Richmond Tigers
This is it for Richmond. The club must finally draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough. The fans have stuck by them for long enough and itโs finally time to start delivering. Richmond has teased its fans for decades. However, the past two seasons, the Tigers have made the top eight.
The club and the fans now expect a natural progression up towards the top of the ladder. However after sitting ninth once again and suffering a humiliating loss to a rejuvenated Melbourne last week, Richmond is possibly not as advanced as we expected.
For Richmondโs sake, it has to just be a blip on the radar. Playing finals two years in a row, plus the induction of several free agents over the past few years cannot all be for nothing.
Not only must the Tigers respond after the loss to Melbourne, but this is also a perfect opportunity to beat Geelong for the first time in nine years. Geelong currently hold a 10 game winning streak over Richmond. This streak has included two 100+ point beltings and three ten goal thrashings. Geelong has had a poor start to the season, winning one game from the first four rounds.
Perhaps even if Richmond lose, Tiger fans can be optimistic about this yearโs finals changes. It all depends on the manner of their defeat. Perhaps Geelong will finally hit their straps and produce another blistering performance weโve all come accustomed to seeing.
If that is the case then a Richmond loss wonโt be as hard to swallow. However, if Geelong continue their indifferent start to the year and continue the form which will probably see them only finish mid table, then Richmond must pounce.
Itโs widely accepted that Richmond donโt have a list to win a premiership this year or even next year. However, making finals is a minimum expectation.
If the Damien Hardwick canโt get his charges up and running soon, then his job as well as their finals aspirations could be on the line.
