This is it Tiger Army.
Our second Grand Final in the space of three years.
A chance for redemption from last year and a chance to bring home our 12th premiership to Punt Road.
If I had said to you at the end of the 2016 season when he finished 13th on the ladder, Focus on Football was challenging to spill the board and people wanted Dimma sacked to not worry because we’d dominate the competition for the next three years and win a premiership, you would call me delusional.
Well, I didn’t say that at the end of the 2016 season, far from it.
But since then Richmond has gone from an easy punchline to a powerhouse and another taste of Grand Final glory awaits us this Saturday at the MCG.
For those of you who bleed yellow and black or are jumping on the Tiggy-Train for this Saturday this one-eyed Richmond AFL Grand Final betting guide is for you.
It’s getting real now, isn’t it… 😍 pic.twitter.com/HdGhuvPTsd
— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) September 24, 2019
To think to go into the bye and injury-depleted Richmond was sitting in 9th place on the ladder and many thought the good old days of “Nitnthmond” was back.
Turns out it wasn’t.
Richmond has won their past 11 and are men on a mission.
Some sour-puss will say “rIcHmOnD nEvR lEaVe tHe mCg” but who cares about some bitter salty types.
Make no mistake, Richmond is men on a mission.
It’s also worth pointing out that this is the first Grand Final since 1980 that neither the top-two teams have qualified for that one day in September.
That’s an omen for Richmond given the fact they thumped the Magpies that day.
Granted, GWS have had an excellent September with sensational wins over the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and bashing and crashing into Collingwood in a thriller last week.
You would hope the travel and tiredness will catch up to them in this game.
GWS might call themselves the Ferraris, but Richmond is a tough Jeep (their major sponsor) who can handle the toughest of conditions.
The Tigers got the job done over the Giants back in Round 17 and got off to a hot start in the first quarter.
I expect Richmond to come out all guns blazing.
The Grand Final is at our house, with our rules.
We’ve won 34 of our past 37 games at the MCG and have never lost to GWS there.
All stats point to a 12th premiership cup heading to Punt Road.
Expect the Giants to put up somewhat of a fight but I expect to all see you down on Swan Street where we can carry on like pork-chops after a Grand Final victory.
It’s the eye of the Tiger, It’s the thrill of the fight.
We’ve got this.
Along with Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia, Tom Lynch has proven to be yet another star player from our junior development club – the Gold Coast Suns.
Lynch has proven a solid investment since he choose to come to Tigerland at the end of the 2018 season.
The man didn’t even have a pre-season but has kicked 61 goals to date for the season and works beautifully up-forward with Jack Riewoldt.
Expect Tom Lynch to be matched up with his old mate Phil Davis from the Giants who’s bruised and battered from last week, but not to be understated.
My feel is telling me that Lynch will take a big pack mark early and slot one in within the first minute of the Grand Final.
Lynch has proven this September he loves big-time football and belongs on the MCG.
Great value for first goal kicker.
Tom Lynch is into a Grand Final!#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/GKR9tvazEa
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 20, 2019
The veteran Tiger is easily having his best season and the Grand Final is something Shedda can really seize the moment in.
Edwards averages 22 disposals per game and usually three clearances per game.
He can go one better and play an absolute blinder as he guides the Tigers to premiership number 12.
Shane Edwards talks to @mattricho0 after an ominous #AFLFinals win for @Richmond_FC! pic.twitter.com/CtaU26tskC
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 7, 2019
Don’t worry about Matt De Beor tagging him.
No one remembers a tagger.
Dusty will shake off the tag and dominate.
We will see a similar performance to what he dished up against Brisbane when he kicked a lazy six goals.
I’m backing Dusty to kick five-plus in the Granny.
The man is built for September and he will play the best game he’s ever played.
Dustin Martin is a freak. No right to win this. #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/885lPzf83q
— Ethan (@ethan_meldrum) September 20, 2019
Many believe that Houli should have won the Norm Smith in 2017.
The man has proven himself as the ultimate Mr September and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has the Norm Smith Medal around his neck come 5:30 this Saturday afternoon.
CARN’ THE TIGES!
Wonderful words from Bachar Houli 🙌#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/1FdRiQM5wc
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 20, 2019