In a special series running throughout this week at richmondfc.com.au, Tony Greenberg is highlighting the anticipation and excitement leading into the Tigers’ 2019 season with an A-Z preview. Today the focus is on the letters Q-U.
Q is for Quickness
Richmond’s ability to move the ball quickly by hand and foot has been a key feature of its game over the course of the past couple of years. The Tigers also are blessed with plenty of players on their list, who are genuinely quick across the turf – the likes of Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler, Jason Castagna, Shane Edwards, Dylan Grimes, Bachar Houli, Jayden Short, Shai Bolton, Connor Menadue, Oleg Markov and Noah Balta springing immediately to mind.
MEMBERSHIP The Hunt Continues in 2019; join as a member today
R is for Recruits
Star key forward Tom Lynch, of course, is the big one (both figuratively and literally) at Richmond for 2019. But the Tigers are extremely pleased with the other players they’ve recruited since the end of last season – from mature-age, ex-Saint midfielder Mav Weller, to a batch of talented, young draftees, headed by their No. 1 pick Riley Collier-Dawkins, and the final addition to the Club’s 2019 playing list, exciting WA prospect Sydney Stack, whose services were secured last week via the AFL’s new pre-season supplemental selection period.
BROWSE Find a 2019 membership package suited to you
S is for Strengths
Another key change at Tigerland during the past couple of years has been a primary focus on players’ strengths. The positive reinforcement of what they do well, rather than areas of their game they need to improve, has boosted the confidence levels within the playing group. Young players, in particular, have benefitted after being told by the coaches that they were drafted because of the specific football attributes they possess. Play to your strengths has been the message, and they have responded extremely well to that.
FIXTURE View Richmond's 2019 AFL premiership season fixture
T is for Tiger Army
Richmond is the competition pacesetter for membership and crowd numbers because of the mighty Tiger Army. Their passion for, and loyalty to, the Yellow and Black cause is boundless. Last year, they ensured that Richmond became the first club in AFL football history to break through the magical 100,000 membership mark. And Richmond smashed the competition’s all-time season attendance record, as a result of the Tiger Army turning up in droves to watch their beloved team on match days. The start of season 2019 is still a month away, but the Club already seems set to top its record 2018 membership tally, which is another massive feather in the cap of the Tiger Army. Once again, they will regularly turn the MCG into a sea of Yellow and Black throughout the season.
SPONSORSHIP Sponsor your favourite Richmond player in 2019
U is for United
This is one of the Tigers’ main Club values, and it’s something they’ve managed to live up to extremely well across the past couple of years. There is a strong sense of unity at Tigerland nowadays, with everyone working closely together in an effort to ensure sustained success for the Club. A united playing group was able to capture AFL football’s ultimate in 2017 and follow up with a dominant 2018 home-and-away season. As a consequence, the players are fully aware of the great rewards that can be reaped from an utterly united approach.
TRAINING Don't miss Saturday morning's open training session at Punt Road
Revisit richmondfc.com.au tomorrow as we conclude with the letters V-Z in our 2019 A-Z season preview.
