Damien Hardwick has become just the sixth coach in Richmond’s league football history to guide the Tigers to consecutive finals campaigns.
Richmond finished seventh under Hardwick’s coaching in 2013, and secured eighth spot at the end of the 2014 home-and-away season, with its stirring victory over ladder leader Sydney at ANZ Stadium last Saturday.
It’s the first time since the mid-1970s that the Tigers have managed to string successive finals appearances together.
Club ‘Immortal’ Tommy Hafey led Richmond into the finals five years in-a-row – from 1971-75.
The four other coaches to accomplish the back-to-back finals feat at Tigerland have been fellow Club Immortal Jack Dyer (1941-44), Percy Bentley (1934-35 and 1939-40), Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes (1927-32) and Dan Minogue (1920-21).
Trent Cotchin also becomes just the sixth player in Richmond’s league football history to captain the Tigers to consecutive finals campaigns.
He joins Tiger Immortal Royce Hart (1972-75), Jack Dyer (1941-44), Percy Bentley (1932-35 and 1939-40), Allan Geddes (1927-28) and Dan Minogue (1920-21).
