History clearly is on the side of Richmond rebounding strongly in 2022.

The four previous times the Tigers missed the finals the season after winning a premiership they quickly turned their fortunes around.

Back-to-back premierships in 1920-21 were followed by a fifth placing in 1922 and eighth the next season, before Richmond rapidly rose to finish second in 1924.

Then, after the Tigers’ 24-year premiership drought was broken in 1967, they slid out of the then final four the following year. But they responded superbly to that disappointment by going on to capture the flag again in 1969.

Richmond subsequently fell away in 1970, finishing sixth. Stung by that failure, the Tigers made their way into a preliminary final in 1971, a Grand Final in 1972, and won back-to-back premierships in 1973-74.

The glorious, massive 1980 Grand Final triumph over Collingwood was followed by another slump in 1981 (seventh in the then final-five system).

In 1982, however, Richmond bounced back brilliantly to play off for the premiership against Carlton.

So, if history is any guide, expect the Tigers’ roar to be restored for their 2022 campaign.