RICHMOND'S battling victory over the Sydney Swans has it ideally placed to make an impact in this year's AFL finals series.
That's the opinion of Tigers coach Damien Hardwick, who has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround from 16th place in round 14 into the top eight at the end of the home and away season.
Hardwick also steered Richmond into the finals last year before they succumbed to a Carlton side that only reached the post-season due to Essendon's penalties over its supplements program.
But he believes they are much better placed this time around, starting with an away clash with Port Adelaide next Sunday.
"Yeah, no doubt," he said. "We’re in games all the time.
"There were stages last year when I don’t think we played as good a footy as we have this year.
"The ability for us to win contested ball – we beat the Swans by 16 today (164-148), which very rarely happens.
"Our guys just hung tough. It’s important we play a finals brand of footy so it’s nothing we’re not used to next Sunday."
Richmond's 10.8 (68) to 9.11 (65) win over the premiership favourites at ANZ Stadium was its ninth consecutive victory.
That guaranteed the Tigers consecutive finals series for the first time since way back in 1975.
Considered under some pressure to retain his job midway through the season, Hardwick conceded there had been moments where he doubted himself.
But the club stayed strong and that 3-10 start to the season now feels like "a lifetime ago".
"It does feel a long time ago. It’s been an enormous journey since then," he said.
"The momentum the guys have gained and the way they’re playing is terrific. It seems like a lifetime ago.
"Credit to our footy club though, every time we set foot in those four walls, we remained upbeat and at no stage did anyone come in and look down on life.
"We’ve turned the corner and laid the foundations of sustained success. It’s been an important year for us going forward."
Despite what looms as a difficult trip to face the Power, Hardwick won't be putting a ceiling on what his side could now achieve.
"I think our boys have got an unbelievable belief in what they’re doing," he said.
"However they go is entirely up to them, the way they play, the spirit they show."
Hardwick then channeled his inner Bob Hawke when he was asked if there would be a 'Tiger Army' waiting for them at the airport when they return to Melbourne.
"Yeah probably," he said. "Any boss that doesn’t give a Tiger fan a day off next Friday to start the drive to Adelaide is a mug."
