Richmond’s 2017 season is incredibly similar to Geelong’s dominant 2007
IS this the biggest sign that the Tigers are set for premiership success? Check out these amazing numbers pitting the Tigers of 2017 against the Cats of 2007.
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THE similarities are striking. Is this the biggest sign that the Tigers are set for premiership success?
Take a snapshot of Richmond’s journey to the 2017 preliminary final and it matches up identically with Geelong’s path through 2007. And we all know how that ended for the Cats.
The parallels begin in 2005 and 2015, with both sides suffering tough September defeats.
A pair of shock finals misses the following year led to internal turmoil and lengthy reviews which had Mark Thompson and Damien Hardwick on the hot seat.
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However, both would go on to survive and from there, the wheel turned.
What followed for both clubs was the key appointment of Neil Balme, VFL Liston Trophy wins and AFL MVP victories.
But wait, the similarities don’t stop there.
If Dustin Martin, currently $1.10 favourite with TAB, can win the Brownlow Medal, he will match the exploits of Jimmy Bartel.
If the Tigers can win the VFL flag, having qualified for the big dance on Saturday, that will match the Cats’ VFL success of 2007.
Then, the only thing left to tick of is … a premiership win.
SEE THE FULL SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISONS HERE