Numbers give chief optimism for sustained run at the top
THERE was no declaration of a dominant era ahead, but Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale says the Tigers can only improve from their premiership season.
Gale’s emotional embrace of club president Peggy O’Neal in the stands was one of the enduring images of the Grand Final. He was far from the only Tiger carried away in the moment as Richmond stormed to a 48-point win over Adelaide, unleashing emotional scenes at the MCG and across Melbourne.
After the match, he said Richmond’s list left Damien Hardwick well positioned to turn the 2017 flag into a period of sustained success.
“I look at our age profile . . . there’s enormous room for improvement,” Gale said.
“I think there’s probably five or six guys, maybe more, in the reserves that we could have played today.
“There’s a very young list. I think we were the youngest team in the eight. We go into the post-season with two firstround draft picks.
“But also we know this is a ruthless competition.
“All that doesn’t guarantee anything but it suggests we should get better.”
Shai Bolton, 18, is the obvious player to come in after starring in the club’s run to the VFL grand final.
The Tigers also have two picks at the back end of the first round of the draft after securing an on-traded selection from Geelong. And they have Dusty. The first man to win the Brownlow Medal, Norm Smith Medal and win a flag in a season, Dustin Martin this year signed for seven seasons at the Tigers, locking him in until 2024 at Punt Road.
Gale said a fired-up supporter base, revealed once more as the biggest in the country, would ensure the Tigers stay strong.
“This year has been a story of unity. In unity is strength. And there’s power,” he said.
“Our fans have been a major part of that unity.
“There’s now 18 teams. It’s very hard to win a premiership. It’s very hard to get to a Grand Final.
“To win against Adelaide ... it’s certainly a very emotional, very special achievement.”