NewsBite

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.

Are the Tigers destined for the flag? Picture: AAP Images
Are the Tigers destined for the flag? Picture: AAP Images

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.

MATCH PREVIEW: “TIGERS AS DANGEROUS AS THEY COME’

DARE TO DREAM: MONKEY OFF RICHMOND’S BACK

FINALS PREVIEW: WHO DOES YOUR CLUB PLAY NOW?

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.

Jack Riewoldt and Shaun Grigg celebrate a goal for the Tigers. Picture: AAP Images
Jack Riewoldt and Shaun Grigg celebrate a goal for the Tigers. Picture: AAP Images

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

GeelongRichmond
2005 finals loss2015 finals loss
2006 miss finals2016 miss finals
2006 Internal review2016 Internal review
2006 Thompson survives2016 Hardwick Survives
2007 Balme recruited2017 Balme recruited
2007 Liston Trophy (Byrne)2017 Liston Trophy (Townsend)
2007 AFLPA MVP (Ablett)2017 AFLPA MCP (Martin)
2007 AFLCA MVP (Ablett)2017 AFLCA MVP (Martin)
2007 Brownlow (Bartel)2017 Brownlow (Martin?)
2007 AFL flag2017 AFL flag (?)
2007 VFL flag2017 VFL flag (?)

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/richmonds-2017-season-is-incredibly-similar-to-geelongs-dominant-2007/news-story/9d491b900417ea7f1aed0da7af0d8d4c