In the fourth part of a richmondfc.com.au post-season special series, we reflect on the top three individual performances by Tiger players throughout season 2015.

Trent Cotchin v Collingwood, Round 7, MCG

Richmond’s season had reached flashpoint going into its Round 7 clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

The Tigers had slumped to 13^th on the ladder with a 2-4 record following three consecutive losses, while the Magpies were 4-2 and in third place.

At quarter-time of the crucial contest, Richmond was staring right down the barrel, trailing by 20 points and being thoroughly outplayed by its old enemy.

Enter Trent Cotchin . . .

The Tigers’ skipper played a pivotal role in changing the course of the match due to his inspirational efforts through the midfield.

With Cotchin leading the way in superb style, Richmond ran riot in the second quarter, slamming on 8.3 to 3.1, to take a 12-point advantage into the long break.

In the third term, however, Collingwood regained the ascendancy, and it held sway by one point at three-quarter time.

That was the signal for Cotchin to dig deep and take his game to an even higher level throughout the final half-hour of the match.

Cotchin had nine disposals in the last quarter, including six contested possessions, three inside-50s and three score involvements, as he relentlessly drove the Tigers to a desperately-needed win.

He finished the match with an equal game-high 32 disposals, including a game-high 18 contested possessions, equal game-high seven inside-50s, equal team-high six clearances, six marks and two goals.

But even those highly-impressive numbers don’t do justice to the mighty influence Cotchin exerted that May Saturday afternoon in dragging his team over the line.

Jack Riewoldt v Sydney, Round 13, SCG

Riewoldt looked razor-sharp from the outset of Richmond’s important away encounter with Sydney.

The star Tiger forward scored the first goal of the match after receiving a free kick for laying a perfect tackle on Swans’ star Dan Hannebery.

Although it had been a fairly even contest in the first quarter, the home side totally seized the initiative during the second term and by half-time had shot out to a 32-point lead.

Riewoldt had kicked two of the only three goals Richmond scored in the opening half and he’d been a rare shining light in an otherwise gloomy Friday night for the Tigers.

It was going to take something super-special from Riewoldt, and his teammates, to turn the tide of a match that already appeared to have drifted beyond Richmond’s reach.

Incredibly, at three-quarter time, the scoreboard showed the Tigers leading by two points, following a brilliant burst of 7.5 to 2.1 in the third term.

Riewoldt was largely instrumental in the stirring comeback, booting two of those seven goals, to take his tally for the match to four at the last change.

With the scent of victory in their nostrils, there was no stopping the rampant Tigers in the final term, as they kicked a further four goals (4.1) to just one by Sydney (1.3), to run out impressive winners by 18 points.

Another two goals by Riewoldt during the last quarter made it six from him for the evening in what was a dynamic, match-winning display up forward.

The Sydney defence simply had no answer to Riewoldt’s strong hands on the lead, spectacular marking over the top of packs, clever ground-work, and the intense pressure he applied to his opponents.

Brett Deledio v Hawthorn, Round 19, MCG

The bitter disappointment of Richmond’s four-point loss to Fremantle at the MCG in Round 18 was washed away six days later, at the same venue, when star playmaker Brett Deledio ignited the Tigers’ bold charge for victory against the all-conquering Hawthorn side.

There were only three goals kicked throughout the entire opening quarter under the Friday night lights, with Deledio scoring them all in a brilliant blitz that set Richmond on the path to a memorable upset  win.

Deledio booted another goal later on, to make it a total of four for the night, which was his best return in a match since 2008.

The dual Jack Dyer Medallist played his high half-forward role to perfection, placing the Hawk backs under intense pressure from first bounce to final siren. 

He chased, harassed, tackled, and used his elite speed, combined with excellent foot skills and clever football brain, to cause constant major problems for the Hawks.

Deledio ended up with 18 disposals, including nine contested possessions, seven score involvements, three inside-50s, a game-high four goals, along with an equal team-high six tackles in the Tigers’ stirring 18-point win.

The 28-year-old has had numerous games throughout his 11-season league career where he’s finished with considerably more than the 18 disposals he picked up against Hawthorn.

There’s no doubting, however, that the impact Brett Deledio had on the outcome of this low-scoring battle (10.11 to 7.11), was profound.

Recap the Tiger Top Threes so far
2015 wins
Most improved players
Stats stars