Pep talk … Richmond coach Damien Hardwick. Photo: Getty Images
PRE-SEASON doesn't seem complete until the Tiger Army has gathered at Richmond's annual family day and the obligatory ''we can play finals this year'' declaration is made.
So it was again on Sunday when coach Damien Hardwick and the players stood in front of a sea of black and yellow at Burnley Park in Richmond. The venue wasn't the same - because of the significant redevelopment taking place at Punt Road - but the message was.
''We certainly think we are a chance to go where we haven't gone for some 12 or 13 years prior to this - and to bring you that opportunity - and that is to participate in September,'' Hardwick told a crowd of more than 7000 supporters. ''So enjoy the journey, it will be a good one.''
It was the same message most of the same supporters heard last year, six months before another Tigers challenge for the top eight fell by the wayside in the final few rounds.
Richmond has been telling its fans for most of the past decade that it is ''knocking on the door'' of the big time. Long enough for a less fanatical band of followers to stop listening. To stop turning up to family days. To say: ''We will believe it when we see it.''
But there could be something different about this year.
And it is not just the Tiger Army creating the optimism. It can be argued that the Tigers have not in recent years knocked harder on the finals door than they did last year.
They lost 11 games last season. But in only one of those matches did the losing margin exceed 22 points.
In six of the losses, the margin was two goals or less. They also had a draw. And they took a couple of handy scalps, knocking off both of the grand finalists, Sydney and Hawthorn.
It is for all those reasons that Reece Conca and his teammates can sense a palpable feeling around the club and among supporters - perhaps one of confidence, rather than hope.
''The fans seem really, genuinely excited this year,'' Conca said. ''They have been good every year I have been here but this year, in particular, it's probably been the biggest.
''There is a really good vibe around and we sort of feed off that. It's really good to see.''
But, as Conca rightfully pointed out on Sunday, it is not that most experts do not think Richmond is good enough to be in the top eight teams this year. It is more about who the Tigers will force out.
''There are a lot of good teams out there,'' the midfielder said.
The Tigers won one of their two NAB Cup matches on Friday night. But that win-loss ledger is of little consequence to Hardwick and his squad of players.
''Obviously we didn't have our full team out there,'' Conca said of the first NAB Cup performance. ''But the way we went about it, the style of play, the things we've been incorporating in training - we showed some signs in those two games.''
Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions sealed back-to-back wins in their NAB Cup round-robin clashes at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
But it was a night to forget for Hawthorn, who lost their matches against the Lions and the Gold Coast and face a nervous wait after star Lance Franklin's high shot on the Suns' Matt Shaw.
The Lions backed up from a 21-point win over the Hawks to thrash the Suns by 33.
The Gold Coast kicked off the round-robin matches with a one-point victory over Hawthorn.
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