A LACK of success from the Richmond Football Club over the past quarter of a century – the Tigers have played in just two finals series since their last Grand Final in 1982 – has created massive unrest among the yellow and black faithful.

And when Terry Wallace became the club's 11th coach over this 25-year period and was given a five-year contract from the start of the 2005 season, the demand for finals success – and ultimately a premiership – grew.

The selection of eight players in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft only fuelled that hope.

Since then, it hasn't all been smooth sailing for the Tigers, with Wallace guiding his side to 12th (2005), ninth (2006) and 16th (2007) during his first three seasons. At the moment, Richmond is 11th on the ladder.

On face value, these figures don't look flattering, but when you analyse the rest of the competition, only Collingwood and Hawthorn have increased their ladder position each season since 2005.

It simply highlights, again, the evenness of the competition and the fluctuating fortunes associated with today's game.

Yes, the Tigers have been crying out for success and may have been only one of four teams, along with the Brisbane Lions, Carlton and Essendon not to have participated in the past three finals series, but recent indicators are pointing towards genuine optimism at Punt Rd, especially after winning its second match in the west this season on Sunday.  

Granted, both Western Australian clubs – Fremantle and West Coast – have been far from successful this season, but the Tigers have still come away with a combined winning margin of 141 points – an outstanding effort in anyone's language.

Add to that a fine four-point win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 13 and the Tigers have now achieved three of their six wins on the road this year – another fine achievement.

Richmond has now won three of its past four, keeping its faint finals hopes alive.

Realistically, September might be ambitious this year, but what has been most encouraging has been the development of its list this year.

In recent weeks, the likes of Trent Cotchin (how good is this kid?), Kel Moore, Mitch Morton and Cleve Hughes have all shone, with Jack Riewoldt also taking another significant step against West Coast with five majors.

The development of Brett Deledio this year cannot be underestimated either.

And to win against West Coast without the brilliant Matthew Richardson and Graham Polak, whose life-threatening head-injury after he was hit by a tram rocked the club, was a testament to Wallace, his football staff and ultimately the players.

After claiming last year's wooden spoon, it was always going to be a difficult task for Richmond to make this year's finals, simply because of where it sat in regards to the rest of the competition. An 11th or 12th placing was a realistic expectation entering 2008.

The fact the Tigers are still in the September hunt – albeit just – at least highlights the development and improvement at Tigerland, as opposed to a 16th placing in 2007.  

It was never going to be an overnight transition for the club, but Wallace and his men are making sure this list is now on the rise and has a future.

The test for Richmond is to achieve something few teams have done since 2005 – keep climbing the ladder. It hit rock bottom last year and has climbed several rungs in 2008, but the challenge for the rest of the season and particularly next year is to keep that going.