History irrelevant for Tigers in AFL final

Coach Damien Hardwick says history is irrelevant for Richmond as they look to reach their first AFL grand final in 35 years.

The Tigers faithful are dreaming of a drought-breaking premiership ahead of Saturday’s preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG.

And if sheer momentum is any guide, they will be hard to stop.

Thousands of yellow and black-clad supporters turned up to Punt Road on Friday to watch Richmond train and sing ‘We’re from Tigerland’ in full voice.

It was a small sample of what the Giants can expect on Saturday, when 95,000 fans – almost entirely Richmond supporters – are tipped to pack out the MCG.

Richmond’s last premiership came in 1980, and the 35-year spell since they last competed for the flag is the longest active drought for all grand finalists,

But Hardwick said such figures had little relevance to the current group and would not serve as motivation.

“The game doesn’t know what’s happened in the past, it just continues to look at what you’re going to bring this week and that’s all we’ve had our focus on,” Hardwick said on Friday.

“It’s been a message we’ve used throughout the year.

“People always try and delve into the past … in the cut and thrust of a prelim, one wins and goes on, the other’s out.

If we play with great intent and workrate, that’ll keep us in great stead. If we don’t … we’re beatable, like most sides.”

The introduction of the pre-finals bye means Richmond will head into Saturday’s clash having played just one game in 27 days.

Both Geelong and GWS were knocked out at the penultimate stage last year after winning their qualifying finals.

Hardwick noted that this side had a “pretty good record” when playing after a week off, although their 2-5 record in games played after the mid-year bye since 2011 would suggest otherwise.

“We’re very confident that we’ve done the work,” he said.

“We think we’re going to be fresh, we’re going to be vibrant, but until that ball bounces we’ll have to wait and see.”

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