Defence has played a major part in Richmond’s strengthened position on the league ladder this season.
After 16 rounds (15 games), the Tigers are ranked fourth in the competition in the points against category.
They have conceded less total points than ladder leaders Hawthorn and Geelong. Only Fremantle, Sydney and Essendon have had fewer points kicked against them than Richmond to this stage of the season.
The Tigers are averaging 82 points against per game.
A further indication of Richmond’s improved defensive showing is the fact that just four times this season has it conceded 100 points or more in a match to the opposition – v Carlton, Round 1 (101), v Collingwood, Round 4 (113), v Geelong, Round 6 (131) and v North Melbourne, Round 15 (128). The Tigers lost three of those four matches.
Only once in the past nine games has an opponent topped the ton in a clash with Richmond – that being the Kangaroos in Round 15.
The Tigers have won seven of those nine games.
