Richmond ended a 37-year premiership drought yesterday with an incredible 48-point win over Adelaide at the MCG.
The Tigers came from 13th on the ladder in 2016, winning just eight games, then finished third at the end of this season, before producing three brilliant performances in September, to achieve the ultimate success, which 12 months ago, looked nigh impossible.
But former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas, says he does not know how the Tigers did it, with one of the worst lists to win a flag. Thomas praised the club's coaches for turning the squad into a premiership winning team.
โWoke up and still gobsmacked. Howโd u do it Tigers? Cotchin, Rance, Riewoldt, Martin.... whoโs their next best player? Incredible coaching,โ Thomas tweeted.
โDonโt get me wrong or misinterpret but possibly worst group of players to win Premiership which only enhances their effort and performance.โ
Richmond's three games this finals series were won on the back of simply astounding pressure which Geelong, GWS and Adelaide simply could not handle.
As well as the side's pressure, lesser lights including the likes of Jack Graham, Daniel Rioli, Jacob Townsend and Kane Lambert all played their roles and combined brilliantly with stars Alex Rance, Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt to beat the more fancied Crows in the Grand Final.
Woke up & still gobsmacked. Howโd u do it Tigers? Cotchin, Rance, Riewoldt, Martin.... whoโs their next best player? Incredible coaching
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) September 30, 2017
Donโt get me wrong or misinterpret but possibly worst group of players to win Premiership which only enhances their effort & performance
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) September 30, 2017
Tigers! WOW! I salute you. Dim I had my doubts - I dip my lid. Team, I thought u were marginally above average. Superseded Bulldogs effort.
— Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) September 30, 2017