Richmond looms as the dark horse heading into the 2022 finals.
Their current form is frightening, winning their last three games by an average of six goals, playing a style of footy that is giving AFL fans flashbacks to the Richmond of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 - years that saw them win three premierships.
Tom Lynch is playing like Wayne Carey, Dion Prestia looks fit and healthy, Shai Bolton is out of this world and Dustin Martin has been declared fit for the finals – it’s all coming together down at Punt Road.
Despite their form, there is one aspect of their game that is alarming, according to Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne.
Richmond has scored the second most points in the competition - but are ranked 13th without the footy - a stat that doesn’t bode well for sides in the finals.
“Daniel Hoyne from Champion Data says there’s one stat at the moment that is a little bit concerning if you’re a Richmond fan,” Tim Watson told SEN Breakfast.
“They’re ranked 13th in the competition without the footy, he says that profile with that particular stat doesn’t go well for you in the finals series.
“What does that mean to the layperson?”
Garry Lyon explained what that statistic means.
“Kingy (David King) and Hoyney are big on this one,” Lyon said.
“It’s the way they defend without the footy basically, conceding balls inside 50 and all that sort of stuff. It stacks up.
“I don’t study it as deeply as those guys do on that particular stat.
“They can score, that’s the big thing if you’re a Tiger fan. They can score.”
Damien Hardwick’s side sits ninth in the league for points conceded, but average 96.3 points per game including scores of 100+ in their past three outings.
Richmond secured their finals ticket following an emphatic 61-point win over Hawthorn in Round 22.
The Tigers next meet Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night to wrap up the home and away season.