RICHMOND veteran Chris Newman is on the verge of his first finals campaign after 231 games.
Newman holds the unwanted record of most games played without a final, surpassing St Kilda great Trevor Barker at the MCG on Saturday.
Newman's desperate bid for September action was given a boost after the Tigers registered an emphatic 41-point win over Hawthorn.
The win moved Richmond to sixth place on 12 wins, usually the magic number for playing finals.
Teammate Alex Rance admits the team is determined to take the former captain to uncharted territory this season.
"I think he instilled a lot of our attitudes and beliefs [in the] early days when the club wasn't doing so well," Rance said.
"I think it means so much to him because he believes in this group so much. For him to not have the rewards finals-wise, it's a bit heartbreaking really.
"It's on us now. He's given so much to us, so it's about time we give back to him."
The win over Hawthorn has done plenty for the team's confidence, and the team is hoping it can make an impact, should September beckon.
"It instills that belief that our game-plan works and can fire under a good opponent," Rance said.
"I think our playing group has had that belief but there's no doubt it's a fair injection in the arm," coach Damien Hardwick said.
Jacqui Reed is a reporter with AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @JacquiReedAFL
