Experienced Richmond defender Troy Chaplin has paid tribute to the might of the Tiger Army.

The 29-year-old veteran of 185 league games, who is entering his third season at Tigerland, following a nine-year career at Port Adelaide, was responding to the news last week that Richmond was sitting second overall on the AFL’s membership ladder, with more than 63,000 members.

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“The underlying factor is just how passionate and loyal our supporters are,” Chaplin said on SEN.

“To have 63,000 members, at this time of the year, is fantastic.  

“The Club are rapt with that and, especially the playing group as well, because we know that when we play games at the MCG we’re going to be playing in front of huge crowds . . .

“Our supporters are passionate, they’re loyal to the footy club, and they’ve been that way for a long period of time now.

“They’re craving success and, hopefully, we can bring that to them this year . . .

“Hopefully our supporters continue to jump on board because we do appreciate it.”