In the lead-up to Richmond’s 2020 preliminary final against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, Tony Greenberg lists (in chronological order) his top 10 Tiger preliminary final memories . . .

1. 1969 v Collingwood, MCG: Young Richmond ruckman Michael Green continues his excellent ’69 finals series with a dominant display against the Magpies, and a top-class opponent in Len Thompson. Green plays a significant role in the Tigers’ 26-point win, finishing with 18 kicks, eight handballs and 14 marks.

2. 1969 v Collingwood, MCG: Brilliant Tiger rover Kevin Bartlett produces a trademark superb September showing – 25 disposals (23 kicks, two handballs) and four goals (4.3) – running rings around the Magpies.

3. 1973 v Collingwood, MCG: Despite being severely hampered with a chronic knee problem, Royce Hart manages to inspire a tremendous second-half comeback by Richmond that leads to a stirring seven-point triumph over the Magpies. Hart watches the first half of the match from the bench, resting his injured knee, but with the Tigers trailing by six goals at the long break (they were as much as 45 points behind during the second term), coach Tommy Hafey has no option but to call on his champion captain and centre half-forward for a supreme, do-or-die effort. Hart responds in typically brilliant style, kicking two goals and having a hand in several others, to drag Richmond over the line and into the Grand Final.

4. 1973 v Collingwood, MCG: Big forward Neil Balme bangs through a game-high five goals, including a crucial one just before half-time that gives the Tigers a modicum of momentum going into the main break. He clearly is the most influential forward on the ground over the course of the match and plays a key role in the famous Richmond victory.

5. 1973 v Collingwood, MCG: Dependable defender Mervyn Keane showcases his courage by taking a gutsy mark deep in the Tigers’ backline, in the dying moments of the game, to snuff out any chance of a Magpie win.

6. 1975 v North Melbourne, Waverley Park: Allan Edwards, a talented 17-year-old forward playing just his 15th senior league game, kicks four goals out of Richmond’s total of eight. The Tigers’ dreams of a premiership hat-trick, however, are dashed by the Roos.

7. 2017 v Greater Western Sydney, MCG: Talented, young, small forward Daniel Rioli lights up the big September stage with a superb four-goal performance in Richmond’s decisive 36-point victory over Greater Western Sydney.

00:00

8. 2017 v Greater Western Sydney, MCG: Dynamic midfielder Dustin Martin continues his September to remember, booting three goals in another electrifying exhibition for the Tigers.

9. 2019 v Geelong, MCG: Prized recruit Tom Lynch catapults Richmond into the Grand Final with a powerful display of key-forward play. Lynch has 19 disposals, takes 10 marks (four of them contested) and kicks five goals, as the Tigers turn a 21-point deficit at half-time into a 19-point win.

10. 2019 v Geelong, MCG: Tough, young midfielder Jack Graham etches his name into Tigerland folklore with an incredible act of bravery. After suffering a dislocated shoulder during the first quarter. and then spending a significant amount of time on the sidelines, Graham subsequently returns to the playing field. He manages to play out the game, even laying several tackles in customary determined style.