Tigers deserve September finish

The Tigers of old? Source: News Limited

RICHMOND president Gary March says he was glad the Tigers fully deserved their breakthrough finals appearance, winning 15 games this season.

The club compared to Fitzroy for its on-field struggles only four years ago will today hit a major milestone taking on Carlton in the Tigers' first September showdown since 2001.

Richmond signed autographs for about 1000 fans at Punt Rd Oval after completing an incident-free training run yesterday.

While controversy surrounds Carlton's path to the finals, having replaced a disqualified Essendon in the eight, March said the Tigers' earned their place in September this year.

March said the club's own research into its list profile indicated the team was ready to compete on the big stage.

"Some people might have expected us to get there last year, but the numbers say we would have cheated, because were under average 90- games (per player)," March said.

"History tells you that you need to be at 90-plus and that's where we are at now.

"I'm just pleased we didn't limp into the finals. We won 15 games and we deserve our place.''

The Blues were handed their spot in the eight with 11 wins after Essendon was booted out of finals as part of its supplement scandal punishment.

While there were excited scenes at Richmond training yesterday, there was heartbreak for midfielder Nathan Foley, who put on a brave face despite being dropped for the eliminator.

As he signed autographs for sympathetic fans, Foley said it was a good sign he was a victim of the club's improved depth.

March said he owed the club's recruiting team, led by Francis Jackson and free agency specialist Blair Hartley, a "few dinners" for helping overhaul the list in quick time.

But he said the team's progress this year was reward for their long-suffering fans who stood by the club through its darkest hours.

"We are pretty proud of where the club has got to, but we are not there yet, there is still a lot of work to do,'' March said.

"It was probably only a few years ago that quite a few people were comparing us to Fitzroy but it just proves if you stick to the path, footy can change.

"I'm just pleased for the supporters who kept coming to the games when we were getting beaten in all those games.''

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