Hi everyone! I hope you all had a nice break from football and have come back to season 2012 as enthusiastic and excited as I am feeling.

Firstly, I am really happy that Dimma has had his contract extended until the end of 2014. I think signing before the season has began is great because it puts to bed any speculation of whether he’s going or staying so we can focus on the season, and also shows that the club trusts the way we are moving forward.

Secondly, I can’t believe we are already up to over 42,000 members! I think this shows just how excited us Tigers supporters are for this season and for the way the club is going. Some people scoffed at the idea that Richmond could have 50,000 members this year, but we are so close and its only March! I am so thrilled for this year and what’s to come. I’m really looking forward to sitting in the crowd come March 29th and hearing the mighty Tiger Army roar.

Thirdly, this year so far. I unfortunately haven’t seen all the games, but what I have seen has been pretty awesome. I have been impressed with both Marics and Ellis in particular. I have enjoyed seeing Ivan Maric improve our rucking options, and think he’s been an excellent addition to the team, plus I enjoy spotting that mullet! Adam Maric has certainly been a great addition as well, creating goal opportunities and playing as a link-up player. He’s very fast and a great kick, and hopefully will find a place in the team. Brandon Ellis has probably been the stand out for me though. He’s an excellent kick and has added some much needed depth in the back half, as well as having a fairly big body for an 18 year old. He seems to make good decisions and appears to be very mature for a first year player. I look forward to seeing how he develops as the year goes on.

I have also been pretty excited by what I’ve seen from guys like Martin, Deledio, Foley and Cotchin. Our midfield is really looking very strong, probably the strongest it’s been in awhile with Deledio now coming up the ground a bit more. If we can successfully and quickly bring the ball down to our forwards, we are a chance to beat any of the teams we face. Deledio is looking good coming back from injury, having a ripper of a game against GWS, and it’s great to see Riewoldt taking more leaps like 2010, now that he’s recovered from injuries.

Finally, the Carlton game. I know that coming in to Round One in previous years, I have been doubtful that we could win. I’ve gone along, year after year and seen some crushing losses. Last year, I felt more optimistic and it was fairly close. If it hadn’t been for a stellar last quarter effort from Judd, we very well could have won that game. This year, I will be going into the game thinking that it’s ours. Carlton are missing 4 of their key players and are none for five in NAB cup games. But even if this wasn’t the case, I truly believe if the boys can play as well as they have been of late, we would be a great chance anyway. The Carlton game is certainly winnable, if we can stop their small forwards from getting away too many. I am actually more excited for the Carlton game then I am for my own birthday on the 25th! I know that we can win this one and get the season off to a great start. I encourage all of you to get down to the game on the 29th and give all those Blues supporters a taste of the Tiger Army roar!

As always, Go Tiges! Meg.

P.s. Follow me on twitter! @megkip