Midfielder Kamdyn McIntosh says the VFL Tigers will grasp the opportunity in front of them, as they look towards securing the Club’s first reserve-grade premiership since 1997 this Sunday.
Following a VFL Grand Final loss in 2017 and a devastating semi-final exit last year, McIntosh said the chance to fight for a flag is “massive”.
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“For us boys to run out there on Sunday and represent the football club and potentially bring home a flag, it would be a huge achievement for all of us, individually and as a whole club,” he said.
“(We’re) so pumped to run out there.”
Richmond will face Williamstown at Ikon Park from 2.15pm, with the Tigers planning to “bring the heat early".
“(Williamstown is) a very strong team and we’ve played a couple of teams over the last few weeks that play a very similar style through contested possession in the midfield and stoppages,” McIntosh said.
“We just have to make sure we bring our A game and that fight mentality that us Tigers have.”
Their eyes firmly on the prize, the Tigers have approached the week with a focus on staying connected and enjoying the journey.
“When us boys are all playing our best football, we’re all having a lot of fun, you can see smiles on our faces,” McIntosh said.
“We enjoy the pressure that we bring, blitzing in and tackling.”
McIntosh’s leadership skills have flourished throughout his recent stint at VFL level. A premiership Tiger, his big-game experience will prove invaluable this Sunday.
“Playing in the 2017 flag, I gained a lot of confidence and experience through that finals period, as well as last year,” McIntosh said.
“If I can help with my connection and my voice, directing players out there, that’s all I can do, as well as playing my best football.”
The 25-year-old lauded the support Richmond VFL has received from the rest of the Club, particularly from its AFL counterparts.
“Having the AFL boys in the changerooms last week (after the preliminary final), they’ve brought so much joy to us boys playing in the VFL,” he said.
A strong fourth quarter against Port Melbourne last Saturday once again typified the steadfast belief within the side, a key characteristic of the VFL program this year.
“The belief we have with us boys, is that we’re always in it, we’re never out of the fight,” McIntosh said.
“I think as long as we keep that belief, we’ll always know that we can come back from any sort of situation we’re in.”
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Tickets to the VFL Grand Final are available here. Those unable to make it to the clash can watch it live on Channel 7 from 1.30pm.
Tiger fans can also follow live updates from Ikon Park via the Richmond VFL Instagram and Twitter accounts.
VFL Grand Final
Richmond vs Williamstown
Sunday, September 22
2.15pm
Ikon Park
