When Richmond secured its drought-breaking premiership in 2017, the Tigers took an iconic photo of the entire squad celebrating at the MCG.
Those who played in the Grand Final had their playing attire on and the remainder of the group wore suits.
After last Saturday’s premiership victory over Greater Western Sydney, Richmond took a similar photo. But this time, each Tiger donned their Richmond guernsey.
Speaking to AFL 360 this week, star forward Jack Riewoldt said the gesture typified that a premiership is made by the whole playing group.
“It was sort of masterminded during the week, the players spoke about it,” Riewoldt said.
“The (2017) photo is brilliant and we look at it very fondly but we thought, how could we make it better?
“Every player plays a role. Whether they get to pull the jumper on that year and play in a physical game of football is irrelevant.
“We go to camp together, we do all the hard stuff together, we recover together, we do everything together.
“So, why not celebrate together in the uniform?”
Numerous players on Richmond’s list didn’t come into the AFL system via their first draft, but rather, had to overcome initial setbacks to realise their AFL dreams.
Riewoldt said it was these tales that galvanise the group.
“There’s so many stories that we’ve attached ourselves to. And the families attach themselves to, because they’ve seen their sons go through hardship,” he said.
“The Club has taken an opportunity for their sons to live their dream. Parents really admire that about our football club, the journey is so fun and we will continue to celebrate with them.”
One of those Tigers, 27-year-old Marlion Pickett, produced a stunning Grand Final debut in Richmond's 89-point win over GWS.
His performance included a goal Riewoldt described as “pure emotion”.
“I think it’s my favourite moment of the Grand Final hands down,” Riewoldt said.
“The ability for arguably the best player in the competition (Dustin Martin), who is on the verge of winning his second Norm Smith Medal, to go out of his way to kick that ball to a bloke in his first game.
“I’m so proud of the Club for that reason.”
Riewoldt lauded the growth and persistence that Pickett, who on Thursday re-committed to the Tigers for season 2020, has shown over his four months at Tigerland.
“The one thing we ask of guys when they come into the football club is to be Richmond men, be authentic, be vulnerable,” Riewoldt said.
“And he lives and breathes what we focus on.”
