It's a team game but Richmond captain Trent Cotchin says the Tigers are reaping the rewards of letting individuals be themselves in their dream AFL season.
And no one is enjoying themselves more than Cotchin.
Richmond's skipper says he freed himself from the responsibility of trying to emulate other AFL leaders at the end of last season after a heart-to-heart with his coach.
The death of former Tigers president Neville Crowe last September provided the grease to get Cotchin's emotional cogs turning.
A realisation hit him.
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"I was trying to be perfect," he told Channel Seven on Sunday.
As the long-term captain of an underperforming club, Cotchin had lived in the shadows of the game's great leaders - Luke Hodge and Nick Riewoldt among them.
Cotchin said he was trying to lead like them - rather than find his own style.
"You look at the Rooeys, the Hodges, and you're trying to be something you're not ... I'm not these guys," he said.
"I needed to define my own way of leading.
"I'm not saying I was a bad leader before this. I have just shown up.
"I had a conversation with Dimmers about where I was as a person, as a player and as a captain.
"That seemed to be the moment that things turned. I seeked help in a way and couldn't be happier."
Nor could Tigers fans.
Richmond are just one win from the grand final after Friday night's 51-point victory over the Cats.
They will host either GWS Giants or West Coast in two Saturdays time - their first home preliminary final since 1973 - to get to the decider.
Cotchin said the Tigers wouldn't be changing a thing in the fortnight before the game.
"We are just encouraging guys to be themselves. To show up, play to their strengths and just enjoy it," he said.
"The number one thing for us is we're just embracing that everyone is different. We're celebrating that."
Against Geelong, Cotchin was a superb leader.
His numbers weren't off the charts - just 20 touches, but seven clearances and nine tackles - but the Tigers No.9 led from the front.
Cotchin also cashed in on Richmond's late dominance with a stunning spin and running goal in the fourth term.
"It sat up nicely (and) I had speed out of the contest. I just threw it on the hoof - it was a genuine floater," he said.
"That was just a bit of icing on the cake of what was a really enjoyable match.
"Not just kicking goals in the last quarter but the way we showed up and fought."
