Richmond’s mature-age recruit Troy Chaplin has taken a measured approach to expectations for the Tigers in season 2013.

Chaplin, who joined Richmond under the AFL’s new free agency system late last year, after a 140-game career at Port Adelaide, is confident the Tigers can take another key step on their journey, but believes a finals berth is by no means guaranteed.

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“Every team wants to play finals.  If you don’t then you’re not in it for the right reasons,” he said.

“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be difficult.

“You’ve got eight teams who played finals last year that are going to be very strong again, then teams like Carlton and Essendon and ourselves also pushing to get in.  Who’s going to drop out?

“There’s no easybeats in the AFL any more . . .

“It’s going to be a huge challenge, but it’s something we’re looking forward to.  

“The supporters really want us to get there and, internally, it’s something we want to strive towards.”