Richmond great Matthew Richardson has listed his top Tiger highlights of 2014.
Here’s how ‘Richo’, on this week’s episode of the Club’s official podcast, ‘Talking Tigers’, assessed Richmond’s major positives from the season . . .


Ivan Maric
“Ivan Maric’s leadership this year was a real highlight.  I think he really helped Trent (Cotchin) out . . . took some pressure off him with leadership, and it was highlighted on Sunday (elimination final v Port Adelaide).  I thought he was outstanding in a difficult situation.  Ivan is like a spiritual leader around the place, and he gives the rest of the leaders a real hand there . . . He was great after coming off an injury.  Didn’t think about himself, he was an ultimate team man, the big ‘fella’.”

Anthony Miles
“Anthony Miles was a revelation.  Took pressure off Trent Cotchin again, in a playing sense, with how he played in the middle.  He allowed other players to play forward more.  I think he’s the recruit of the year.”

Alex Rance
“Alex Rance really asserted himself as one of the premier defenders in the competition . . . had a career-best year.  He can’t be beaten one-on-one, gives his all, and has just really improved his poise and the way he played.”

Dustin Martin
“Dustin Martin was coming off a bit of controversy leading into the pre-season, with the whole GWS thing and the contract talk.  Took a strong character to come in, put his head back down, and improve as a player.  And, I think he’s got a lot of improvement left.” 

Cotchin and co.
“I think Cotchin can still become a better player.  (Dylan) Grimes got some continuity, had a good year.  Brandon Ellis is in the All-Australian squad, and he can get better.  Brett Deledio’s second half of the season, going forward, added another string to his bow.  And, don’t forget early on, Dave Astbury was outstanding.  I reckon he got beaten just once, by Jonathon Brown.  He comes back next year and he locks down.  You’ve got Rance, and that frees up (Troy) Chaplin a bit.  That’s an improvement.”

The Tiger team
“The main highlight was the ability of the boys to show some resilience, to regroup mid-year, and then give the Richmond supporters some hope and something real to cheer about with the nine-game winning streak.”