Relive the Tigers’ 2017 premiership through the re-running of articles richmondfc.com.au published in the glory days following the tremendous Grand Final triumph.
Evaluating the merits of one premiership against another is like comparing the love you feel for each of your children.
The bottom line is that they all have a special place in your heart and it’s not fair to distinguish between them.
That said, given I’ve had a couple of weeks to reflect on Richmond’s glorious, drought-breaking 2017 premiership triumph, I can’t help but feel that this is, if not the best, then undoubtedly the most significant in the Club’s long, proud history.
For a whole generation of Tiger fans, this is their first premiership, and that’s what makes it so exceptional.
Like many older Richmond supporters, I had the wonderful experience of sharing the stirring Grand Final win against Adelaide, and subsequent celebrations, with my children – Emily (22) and Laura (19).
It meant to world to me to see the look of sheer delight on their faces, as they watched the Tigers overpower the Crows and capture the prized premiership cup.
Over the years, I had urged them to keep the Yellow and Black faith, recounting stories of what it was like when I was growing up and the Tigers ruled the league football jungle.
I am truly blessed, for this is the sixth Richmond premiership I have seen. But the 2017 premiership means so much more to me because my daughters, along with all members of the previously success-starved Tiger generation, now know exactly how powerful their club is, and that they are part of something special.
The atmosphere created by the Tiger Army at Richmond’s three finals this year was truly amazing, and the players themselves have acknowledged the important role that played in their overall success throughout September.
It was as though the passionate desire of the fans combined with the players’ fierce determination, to create an irresistible force that swept aside all opposition.
Another reason why the 2017 premiership is particularly significant is because it’s the Club’s first since the Victorian Football League became the Australian Football League.
With the advent of more clubs, drafting and a salary cap, the degree of difficulty in winning premierships is far greater than decades ago, when Richmond was a competition powerhouse and pacesetter.
This degree of difficulty increased immeasurably just a few years ago, when Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney joined the AFL and received major drafting concessions that gave them instant access to the best, young players nation-wide.
As a result, traditional Victorian clubs, such as Richmond, had to go about the business of replenishing their talent stocks from a position way behind the eight ball.
That the Tigers were able to do so, and defy all the odds by procuring the 2017 premiership, highlights just how mighty this achievement is.
