Tigers set to rip into footy final

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers are playing a brand of footy ideally suited to ending two long hoodoos in tonight’s AFL qualifying final against Geelong.

The Tigers have lost 13 straight games against the Cats dating back to 2006 and have gone 16 years without a finals win, including three elimination final heartbreaks from 2013 to 2015.

Rather than playing down the enormity of the MCG clash against Geelong, Hardwick has invited everyone associated with the club to embrace it.

“We accept that we haven’t had a great record,” he said.

“This is our fourth attempt in five years.

“What I am pleased about it is that we consistently give ourselves an opportunity. “This is a different side. “As I’ve said previously, it’s by far the best side I have coached.

“The way they play the game I think stands up to a finals brand.”

The Tigers have got great returns this year from their big four – Brownlow favourite Dustin Martin, skipper Trent Cotchin, spearhead Jack Riewoldt and four-time All-Australian defender Alex Rance.

An unorthodox attack that includes a host of fleet-footed smalls alongside Riewoldt has also paid dividends.