Richmond CEO Shane Dunne has praised the development of the young Tigers over the first 13 rounds but says the Club needs to keep building its consistency.
Richmond has already surpassed its win count from the 2024 season, making claim to three wins, having been extremely competitive in the majority of its matches.
Dunne said there is a lot to be excited about as a Tiger fan, however, admits there is also frustration in losing when in winnable positions.
“It’s been an exciting start to the year, and we have been in so many games,” Dunne said.
“We have seen so much growth and development already, but there is also that sense of frustration where we were in those winnable positions and didn’t take our chances at the time.
“We need to keep building that consistency within the team and the consistency in output that we deliver, but the effort and energy has been there throughout.”
Richmond’s young line-up has seen seven debutants don the yellow and black jumper throughout the first 13 rounds, giving the Tiger Army a glimpse of what the side will look like in years to come.
“We are starting to see the development of our younger players, and we are seeing them grow right before our eyes,” Dunne said.
“The development of these players coming through and debuting has been wonderful. To connect with their families and see the joy in their faces when their young men run out there has been wonderful to see.
“You can see them growing each week, and some of them already look like ready-made AFL footballers, holding their position really well.”
Dunne added the strong campaigns from the Tigers' senior players have assisted in fast-tracking the development of the youngsters.
“They have been supported by some really strong and experienced leaders throughout the Club who are showing them the way on the field but also on the training track,” Dunne said.
“The senior players have been incredibly important, and I think Toby Nankervis has led this Club exceptionally well.
“The way he has brought this group together and the way he is leading us off the field is incredible.
“There is such a strong group of players around him, in Tom Lynch, Dion Prestia, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Nathan Broad, these people have been extremely strong servants of the Club, and to be able to show the way for this young group of players, has been pleasing to see.”
Dunne also expressed his excitement for the AFLW season, which begins in August.
Richmond’s AFLW program is already in full swing, with its players returning to the track for a big pre-season.
“The team are excited and enthused to be back,” Dunne said.
“They have come back in really good shape, and the coaching staff has set a really strong plan now to set us up for this pre-season.
“Home games will be at Ikon Park this year whilst we continue to develop the Punt Road Oval, so it’s critically important that our fans get along.
“We also head to New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland as well, but really importantly, Dreamtime in Darwin is back again this year.”
Dunne highlighted the success of the VFL team, who currently sit 4th on the ladder, fresh off their five-point win against the Swans on the weekend.
Richmond’s VFL side has won seven of their 10 games played and is currently on a three-game win streak as it heads into the bye week.
“The VFL program has had a great start to the year, Jake Batchelor and the coaches have been developing the players who have come through the VFL system and getting them ready to play at AFL level,” Dunne said.
“A lot of these players are returning from injury, and we are starting to see them really develop on that side.
“We are starting to see some selection challenges for our match committee and our coaching teams, as these players come back through the system and are ready to go.”
Dunne thanked the Tiger Army for their unwavering support throughout the first half of the year, with hopes they continue to show up as the side gears up for a big second half of the draw.
“The Tiger Army have been incredible so far," Dunne said.
“We have seen some really strong crowds already. We had more than 50,000 at the game on a Sunday afternoon against North Melbourne just a few weeks ago, and they continue to show up to support the team.
“We hope to see them continue to show up for the rest of this year, and the players love it, they thrive when the Punt Road end is up and about.”
