The Tigers have had a strong start to their VFL campaign, currently sitting in fourth position on the ladder at the mid-point of the season, with coach Jake Batchelor saying their form has been built off the back of tremendous buy-in from all players and staff.

“The way that we are playing is going to hold us in good stead going forward, we’re living our trademarks which we’re really strong on as a football club,” he said.

“We are playing a Richmond style of football, there’s still some things to tidy up with our system, but the players are bringing the right intent to every single game and we are connected.”

The Tigers are daring to dream of what could be later on in the year, but Batchelor also understands the importance of continuing to learn and develop with a young playing group.

“I think it’s natural to go down that path and think about what is possible (later in the year),” he said.

“Our system is evolving every week, our ability to stay present with that and just lock into each training session, review and game, that’s the thing that I’ve been most proud of.”

The VFL players have been integral to the team’s success so far in 2025, with some experienced leaders being at the forefront of Richmond’s on-field performances.

Captain Lachlan Street, and vice-captains Joel Garner and Mutaz El Nour, among others, have played brilliant football so far this year, but it is their leadership that is driving the club forward.

“Our VFL-listed players are holding a lot of weight with how we perform,” Batchelor said.

“Touch wood they stay on the park and keep improving, but I dare say a lot of the work that they’re doing is taking a bit of the mental and physical load off the expectation of the AFL-listed players.”

The Tigers have displayed a wonderful ability to win close games so far this year, stepping up when games have been on the line. They have won four games by 13 points or less this season, including crucial victories against the Giants and Sydney in recent weeks.

While they have won seven games already this year, Batchelor says the group is not a finished product and has plenty more left in the tank.

“These blokes are connected and we’re on a journey together, we’re still nowhere near where we want to get to,” he said.

“Despite the win/loss, it looks great on paper but we’re still a fair way off of what we see as consistent Richmond VFL football.”

The emergence of some of the VFL program’s younger players like Massimo Raso, Harry Scott, Nick Collier and Liam George (leadership group) have also been vital to the team’s success, as they start to establish themselves as solid VFL footballers.

“They are really strong characters and really strong performers,” Batchelor said.

“We can’t forget how young these guys are and the work that they are putting in to uphold the standards and the cultural trademark behaviours that we expect.

“They’re learning and buying into their craft, they are desperate to get better. I think that they can see the possibilities with this group, and they are desperate to be a part of it.” 

The earlier mentioned Street has been a valuable addition back into the team, recovering from an ACL injury suffered last year.

He made his return in Round 8 against North Melbourne, and since then there has been an obvious shift in the footy the Tigers are playing, with Street averaging 23 disposals per game while also giving the club a spiritual lift with his strong leadership.

“He plays our system really well and can be really flexible (position wise),” Batchelor said. 

“He leads by example and he doesn’t speak often, but he speaks with great power and people listen when Streeter talks which is the sign of a really good captain.

“He is extremely influential and if we’ve got to play him in a certain role, he’ll do that.”

Batchelor believes the team is well set to go far this year if they can keep evolving and improving, with a whole squad approach required to achieve something special this season.

“We’re in a good position, even if we weren’t sitting top four,” he said.

“We’re going to have a different group play every week, we’ve got different players coming in and out. We can have a lofty goal on the edge of our peripheral as long as we’re sticking to what makes us a really good team.

"We’ve got the right people on the park and behind the scenes that are helping us get there.”