As Richmond prepares to take on the Crows this Sunday at the MCG, we look back on our greatest moments against Adelaide, in what has shaped up to be a historic rivalry over the years.
First on our list is the memorable 'tactical battle at the Telstra Dome' in Round 8, 2006, where a young Richmond team took down an experienced Crows outfit thanks to a strategy of possession and retention.
Richmond coach Terry Wallace combated Adelaide’s defence to counter-attack game plan through short kicks and uncontested marks, which led to an upset victory against the top-of-the ladder Crows by three points.
Joel Bowden was a standout performer for the game, finishing with 34 disposals, four tackles and 20 marks.
Kayne Pettifer was at his leaping best, taking a courageous mark down back, while Brett Deledio roosted a goal from 60 meters out when the Tigers needed it most.
Adelaide went into the game with a much more experienced team compared to Richmond’s side, which consisted of nine players under the age of 22 years old.
The three-point win in front of the Tiger Army marked the first time Richmond had beaten Adelaide in seven years.
Fast forward to 2014, Round 21, where Richmond would face off with the Crows in the Tigers' first game at the newly developed Adelaide Oval.
Richmond were on a six-game win streak at the time and needed a win to keep its finals hopes alive.
The Tigers came out firing, kicking five goals and one behind to give themselves a 20-point lead at the end of the first term.
Brandon Ellis, Deledio and Trent Cotchin were the side's major ball winners, all recording more than 25 disposals each.
No other than Club hero Dustin Martin kicked the game sealer late in the fourth quarter, silencing the home fans at a packed-out Adelaide Oval, with Richmond going on to claim a 10-point victory.
The game was part of Richmond's nine-game win streak which led to a Finals appearance.
A day Tiger fans will never forget fell on September 30, 2017, when Richmond broke its 37-year premiership drought with a win over Adelaide in the Grand Final.
The Tigers had an outstanding 2017 campaign, finishing third on the ladder with 15 wins and seven losses.
The stage was set for a Richmond vs Adelaide Grand Final, with the Crows finishing the season as minor premiers and going into the match as favourites. It was the 122nd Grand Final, seeing 100,021 spectators in attendance.
Richmond was making its first Grand Final appearance in 35 years (a defeat to Carlton in the 1982 decider).
The minor premiers came out of the gates strong, with Rory Sloane kicking the first goal, followed by Eddie Betts, who slotted the second, giving Adelaide the early lead.
However, the Crows' attack was quickly halted by the defensive work of Richmond legend Alex Rance, who provided crucial spoils as the ball flew inside 50 to start the second term.
It wasn’t too long before the Tigers got going and displayed their pressure brand of footy, which had held them in good stead all season, breaking the game open in the third quarter where they took a commanding 34-point lead heading into the last.
Jack Graham led the way up forward, finishing the game as the leading goal scorer with three to his name, in support of Jacob Townsend, Jack Riewoldt and Martin, who all kicked two goals of their own.
Martin ended his incredible, Brownlow Medal winning year, with a Norm Smith Medal after a standout performance where he finished the day with 29 possessions, six clearances and two goals.
Richmond dominated the Crows in contested possessions (170-140) and won the clearances battle (45-39), ultimately resulting in a comfortable 48-point Grand Final win.
Damien Hardwick and his Tigers squad would go on to bring home two more premierships in 2019-2020.
Be there this Sunday when we host the Crows at the MCG - and kids go free as part of the Tiny Tiger Takeover! Click here for tickets.
