Richmond’s growing capacity to “win ugly” is underlined by the fact that it has already secured as many wins this season, with scores of 10 goals or less, than in any year since 1931 – and there are still eight home-and-away rounds to go.
The Tigers have kicked exactly 10 goals in three wins so far in 2015 – v Essendon at the MCG in Round 9, v Greater Western Sydney at the MCG in Round 14, and v Carlton at the MCG in last Friday night’s Round 15 clash.
Back in 1931 – the year the great Jack Dyer debuted – Richmond won on five occasions with scores of 10 goals or less (10 goals v Collingwood, Round 4, Punt Road, nine goals v Hawthorn, Round 6, Punt Road, eight goals v Melbourne, Round 10, Punt Road, eight goals v Carlton, Round 12, Punt Road, 10 goals v Collingwood, Round 15, Victoria Park).
The Tigers ended up finishing runner-up to Geelong in that 1931 season.
They also kicked 10 goals or less to win three times in 1934, 1941, 1952, 1964, 1995 and 2014.
After 15 rounds this season, Richmond is ranked fifth overall in the points against category, behind Fremantle first, Sydney second, West Coast third and Hawthorn fourth.
