Editing Richmond Football Club (section)

===Premiership success (2017–2020)===

During the preseason period for 2016/17, Richmond made a number of changes to its playing list and coaching staff. Among these changes was the departure of [[Brett Deledio]] to Greater Western Sydney, in a three-way deal involving Geelong that saw the Tigers receive a 2017 first-round draft selection from the Cats, as well as a 2017 third-round selection from the [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|Giants]]. Richmond also attained the services of [[Gold Coast Suns]] midfielder [[Dion Prestia]], Geelong player [[Josh Caddy]], and young [[Sydney Swans]] ruckman [[Toby Nankervis]] in preparation for the 2017 season.

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|-
| style="width:200px;"| ''[[2017 AFL Grand Final]]'' 
| ''G'' 
| ''B'' 
| ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |Richmond 
| '''16''' 
| '''12''' 
| '''108'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |{{AFL Ade}} 
| 8 
| 12 
| 60
|-
| Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan="3" | Crowd: 100,021
|}
{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#FFFFF0 |salign=center
|width=29%
|align=right
|quote=37 years and the Tigers are kings of the jungle again – it is Tiger Time, [[Bruce McAvaney|Bruce]]. There is no doubt about it at all... The Tigers are going to win the Premiership (siren sounds) in 2017! The Tigers have got home for the first time in 37 years!
|source=[[Brian Taylor (Australian footballer)|Brian Taylor]]'s TV call of the Grand Final final siren on [[Seven Network]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59w8Fi_lFh4 Last 41 seconds – Richmond vs Adelaide Crows (AFL Grand Final 2017)] YouTube (originally broadcast by Seven Network)</ref>
}}

Richmond began 2017 with 5 straight wins, a feat it had not achieved since 1995. A series of close losses hampered the Tigers throughout the middle of the season, including a 5-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, 2-point loss to Fremantle, and a 3-point loss to the Giants. Richmond ended the season strongly with convincing victories over Fremantle and St Kilda in the final two rounds, elevating the club to 3rd on the ladder. Richmond's first final of the season – their qualifying final against the Cats at the MCG – attracted a record qualifying final crowd of 95,028; the Tigers won by 51 points. This sent them to their first preliminary final since 2001, in which Richmond defeated [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|Greater Western Sydney]] by 36 points in front of a crowd of 94,258 to progress to the [[2017 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] against [[Adelaide Football Club|Adelaide]], their first Grand Final appearance since 1982. The attendance was 100,021, the largest crowd for a Grand Final since 1986. The Crows led at quarter time and were in front by as much as 13, but the Tigers took over the game as it progressed and kicked seven straight goals at one point with former South Australian U-19 captain [[Jack Graham (Australian footballer, born 1998)|Jack Graham]] finishing as the game's leading goalscorer after kicking three despite playing only his fifth game at AFL level. They eventually would win by 48 points – 16.12 (108) to Adelaide's 8.12 (60) – to end their 37-year flag drought.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/sep/30/richmond-end-37-year-wait-with-afl-grand-final-win-over-adelaide|title=Richmond end 37-year wait with AFL grand final win over Adelaide|last=O'Halloran|first=Kate|date=30 September 2017|work=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=30 September 2017|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[Dustin Martin]] also became the first player to win a Premiership medal, the [[Brownlow Medal]] and the [[Norm Smith Medal]] in the same season, while Damien Hardwick was named AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Richmond's jump from 13th to premiers also marked the biggest jump from one AFL season to the next.

[[File:RFC Win %.png|thumb|Richmond Football Club Win % by Season (including Finals)Gold * denotes Premiership

Red * denotes Wooden Spoon|365x365px]]

The reigning premiers were dominant throughout the [[2018 AFL season|2018 season]], winning their first minor premiership since 1982 with an 18–4 win–loss record. Richmond won all 17 of their games in Victoria during the home-and-away season,<ref name="Invicwethrive">{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Tony |title=In Victoria we thrive |url=http://m.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-08-27/in-victoria-we-thrive |website=richmondfc.com.au |date=26 August 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> and broke the record for most consecutive wins at the MCG, winning 22 games at the venue<ref name="1qf">{{cite web |last1=Bowen |first1=Nick |title=Ruthless Tigers book prelim |url=http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-06/match-report-richmond-v-hawthorn |publisher=AFL Media |date=6 September 2018 |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref> (starting from round 14, 2017) and eclipsing the record of 17 set by Melbourne in [[1955 VFL season|1955]]–[[1956 VFL season|56]].<ref name="Sbs2018">{{cite web |title=Tigers beat Pies, break AFL's MCG record |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/tigers-beat-pies-break-afl-s-mcg-record |website=SBS.com.au |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="TheAge2018Richmond">{{cite web |last1=Pierik |first1=Jon |title=Tigers claim MCG record with another final-quarter blitz against Pies |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-claim-mcg-record-with-another-final-quarter-blitz-against-pies-20180728-p4zu4z.html |website=The Age|location=Melbourne |date=28 July 2018 |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>

The Tigers defeated Hawthorn by 31 points in the first qualifying final at the MCG<ref name="1qf"/> and were seemingly destined to win a second consecutive flag. However, they were stunningly denied a repeat Grand Final appearance after Collingwood defeated them by 39 points in the first preliminary final.<ref name="PiesStunTigersAFLsite">{{cite web |last1=Bowen |first1=Nick |title=Match report: Pies stun Tigers to make GF |url=http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-09-21/match-report-richmond-v-collingwood |publisher=AFL Media |date=21 September 2018 |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="PiesPrelimAge">{{cite web |last1=Pierik |first1=Jon |title=Pies stun Tigers to march into grand final |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/pies-stun-tigers-to-march-into-grand-final-20180921-p50554.html |website=The Age|location=Melbourne |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>

Jack Riewoldt had an outstanding year for Richmond, winning his third [[Coleman Medal]] after kicking 65 goals during the regular season,<ref name="JackwinsJohn">{{cite web |last1=Phelan |first1=Jason |title=Riewoldt claims third Coleman Medal |url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-08-26/riewoldt-claims-third-coleman-medal |website=Richmondfc.com.au |date=26 August 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> his second [[Jack Dyer Medal]]<ref name="JackwinsJack">{{cite web |last1=Sewell |first1=Eliza |title=Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt adds second Jack Dyer Medal to bulging trophy cabinet |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/richmond-spearhead-jack-riewoldt-adds-second-jack-dyer-medal-to-bulging-trophy-cabinet/news-story/85ddbc51dc89a8b63adb21d9a2f3ef1e |website=Herald Sun |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="jack4jack">{{cite web |last1=Greenberg |first1=Tony |title=It's Jack for Jack |url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-10-02/2018-jack-dyer-medal-winner |website=Richmondfc.com.au |date=2 October 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> and receiving his third
[[All-Australian team|All-Australian]] selection.<ref name="Buddyleadstheway">{{cite web |last1=Laughton |first1=Max |title=AFL All-Australian team 2018: Lance Franklin joins all-time greats as captain in eighth appearance |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-allaustralian-team-2018-see-the-full-22man-side-as-its-announced-live/news-story/70325a4272a8a4e40a7bf0975b5e8cb6 |work=Fox Sports|location=Australia |date=29 August 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> Three other Tigers received All-Australian honours: [[Alex Rance]] (fullback), Dustin Martin (centre) and [[Shane Edwards]] (interchange),<ref name="Buddyleadstheway"/> and four more were shortlisted in the initial 40-man squad: captain [[Trent Cotchin]], [[Josh Caddy]], [[Dylan Grimes]] and [[Kane Lambert]].<ref name="8tigersinAAshortlist">{{cite web |title=Eight Tigers in All Australian squad |url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-08-27/2018-all-australian-squad-richmond |website=Richmondfc.com.au |date=27 August 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> Exciting young forward/midfielder [[Jack Higgins (Australian footballer)|Jack Higgins]] capped off a stellar debut season by winning [[Goal of the Year (AFL)|Goal of the Year]] for his highly memorable scissor-kick goal against Collingwood in Round 19.<ref name="Higgospeech">{{cite web |title=Brownlow Medal 2018: Jack Higgins delivers hilarious goal of the year speech |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/brownlow-medal-jack-higgins-delivers-hilarious-goal-of-the-year-speech-ng-b88970874z |website=The West Australian |date=24 September 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref>

At the conclusion of the season, Richmond acquired former {{AFL GC}} co-captain [[Tom Lynch (Australian footballer, born 1992)|Tom Lynch]] via free agency on 8 October.<ref name="LynchtoRichmond">{{cite news |title=Tom Lynch joins Richmond Tigers as Gold Coast Suns departure is confirmed |url=https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-08/tom-lynch-joins-richmond-tigers-as-he-leaves-gold-coast-suns/10351138 |publisher=ABC News|location=Australia |date=8 October 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="FoxsportsTigerslandLynch">{{cite web |title=Tom is a Tiger: Richmond officially lands big fish Tom Lynch on seven-year deal |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/tom-is-a-tiger-richmond-officially-lands-big-fish-tom-lynch-on-sevenyear-deal/news-story/9a7408a6a68acd4ad83727cc44927930 |work=Fox Sports|location=Australia |date=8 October 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> Five players departed the club during the free agency and trade periods: [[Reece Conca]] left to {{AFL Fre}} as a free agent on 5 October,<ref name="ConcatoFremantle">{{cite web |title=Conca becomes a Docker |date=5 October 2018 |url=http://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2018-10-05/conca-becomes-a-docker |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> [[Anthony Miles (Australian footballer)|Anthony Miles]] and [[Corey Ellis]] were traded to Gold Coast along with a third round draft pick on 8 October in exchange for another third round pick,<ref name="miles&ellisdepart">{{cite web |title=Miles, Ellis join Suns |date=8 October 2018 |url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-10-08/miles-ellis-join-suns |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> [[Tyson Stengle]] was traded to Adelaide in exchange for its fourth round pick on 15 October,<ref name="StengletoAdelaide">{{cite web |last1=@AFL_House |title=Trade paperwork officially lodged. Richmond has traded Tyson Stengle to the Adelaide Crows for its Rd 4 selection, currently selection number 68 (on traded from the Gold Coast Suns) |url=https://twitter.com/AFL_House/status/1052017276323475456 |via=Twitter |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} and [[Sam Lloyd (footballer)|Sam Lloyd]] was sent to the {{AFL WB}} for pick 64 on 15 October.<ref name="LloydtoWhittenOval">{{cite web |last1=Cleary |first1=Mitch |title=Tiger forward makes move to the Kennel |url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-10-15/tiger-forward-lloyd-makes-move-to-the-kennel |publisher=AFL Media |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> In addition, [[Ben Griffiths]] retired in January to pursue a college football career in the United States<ref name="Griffithsretires">{{cite web |last1=Salemme |first1=Kate |title=Richmond forward Ben Griffiths has quit the AFL to pursue an American football punting career |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-forward-ben-griffiths-has-quit-the-afl-to-pursue-an-american-football-punting-career/news-story/d4b58c80817609d1ba78deca2cceb85c |website=Herald Sun |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> and [[Shaun Hampson]] retired on 26 June, citing a chronic back condition.<ref name="Hampsonretires">{{cite web |title=Hampson calls time on afl career |date=26 June 2018 |url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-06-26/hampson-calls-time-on-afl-career |access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref>

Richmond were looking to rebound in 2019 after the bitter disappointment of their unexpected preliminary final exit. They suffered various setbacks during the first half of the season, with several of their best players sidelined, most notably [[Alex Rance]] who suffered a career-ending ACL injury in Round 1 against Carlton. The Tigers were resilient in spite of their misfortune, winning six games in a seven-game stretch from round four to round 10. Despite a midseason slump where three losses on the trot dislodged them from the top eight, the Tigers re-emerged from the mid-year bye a different team and would not lose again for the rest of the season. They won their last nine games of the home-and-away season and finished third on the ladder with a 16–6 win–loss record, trailing minor premiers Geelong and second-placed Brisbane on percentage.

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|-
| style="width:200px;"| ''[[2019 AFL Grand Final]]'' 
| ''G'' 
| ''B'' 
| ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |Richmond 
| '''17''' 
| '''12''' 
| '''114'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |{{AFL GWS}} 
| 3
| 7
| 25
|-
| Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| colspan="3" | Crowd: 100,014
|}
They would defeat both teams en route to their second grand final in three years, dispatching the Lions by 47 points in the second qualifying final at the Gabba (marking their first interstate finals victory) before coming from 21 points down at half time to beat the Cats by 19 points in the second preliminary final at the MCG. They met Greater Western Sydney in the [[2019 AFL Grand Final]] on 28 September, thrashing the Giants by 89 points – their biggest ever win in a grand final, eclipsing their 81-point victory over Collingwood in 1980. Martin won his second Norm Smith Medal, becoming just the fourth to win multiple Norm Smith Medals after [[Gary Ayres]], [[Andrew McLeod]] and [[Luke Hodge]]. Cotchin equaled Dan Minogue, Percy Bentley and Royce Hart with his second Premiership as Richmond captain while Hardwick became the Tigers' first multiple Premiership coach since Tom Hafey – whose widow Maureen presented the two of them with the Premiership cup. Richmond also chose to debut [[Marlion Pickett]], who they had drafted midseason following Grigg's retirement and who had won the Norm Goss Medal in the VFL Grand Final against Williamstown the previous week. Pickett not only became the first player to make his senior debut in an AFL or VFL Grand Final since [[Keith Batchelor]] for Collingwood in 1952, but he also kicked his first AFL goal in the third quarter and finished with four Norm Smith Medal votes.

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|-
| style="width:200px;"| ''[[2020 AFL Grand Final]]'' 
| ''G'' 
| ''B'' 
| ''Total''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |Richmond 
| '''12''' 
| '''9''' 
| '''81'''
|-
| style="text-align:left" |{{AFL Gee}} 
| 7
| 8
| 50
|-
| Venue: [[The Gabba]]
| colspan="3" | Crowd: 29,707
|}
Despite some off-field indiscretions during the [[2020 AFL season|2020 season]] and playing most of the season interstate due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the reigning premiers finished in the top four for the fourth consecutive season, qualifying in third place with 12 wins, four losses and a draw after a shortened 17-match home-and-away season. Richmond faltered against the Brisbane Lions in the qualifying final, but recovered to play in their third Grand Final in four years after defeating St Kilda by 31 points in the semi-final and pipping minor premiers Port Adelaide by six points in the preliminary final. The Tigers would meet Geelong at the Gabba in the first VFL/AFL Grand Final to be played outside Victoria, and despite trailing the Cats by 22 points deep in the second term, Richmond scored 10 of the final 12 goals of the match to run out 31-point winners. It marked their third premiership in four years and also made them the first team since Hawthorn completed their three-peat in 2015 to win consecutive premierships. Martin, who kicked four goals, became the first-ever three-time Norm Smith Medalist, while Cotchin became the club's first-ever three-time Premiership captain.