Richmond great Matthew Richardson couldn't contain his emotions as the Tigers began to celebrate their first AFL premiership in 37 years.
The brilliant centre-half forward sobbed on the boundary as jubilant cries of "yellow and black" rang out across the MCG.
There were similar scenes in the stands, where Tigers chief Brendon Gale and club president Peggy O'Neal wiped away tears.
Richardson, who played 282 games at the Tigers and booted 800 career goals, had the honour of handing the premiership cup to skipper Trent Cotchin.
"I'm a Richmond supporter since the age of four, so I'm like all those other guys in the stand," Richardson told AAP after the game.
"It feels incredible. The September they've put together; they're going to talk about this for a long time.
"They didn't just limp in. They came into September playing well and then they rose again.
"They're a remarkable team and I couldn't be more proud of them."
The Tigers' turnaround within the space of a season has been nothing short of remarkable.
Richmond staggered to the finishing line last year, finishing in 13th place after a 113-point drubbing from Sydney in round 23.
The Tigers embarked on a warts-and-all review of their football department, and there were serious questions asked about whether Damien Hardwick was the man to coach the side.
Twelve months later, Hardwick is the AFL's coach of the year, midfielder Dustin Martin is the first player in history to win both the Brownlow and Norm Smith medals in one season, and the Tigers are premiers.
Richardson didn't hesitate when asked to pinpoint the catalyst for the Tigers' change in fortunes.
"It's just connection and playing for each other, and I guess that's what champion teams do," he said.
"They love (Hardwick), and that's why Brendon Gale retained him and Peggy O'Neal retained him.
"They knew how good he was and how much the players loved him."
Tigers youngster Daniel Rioli echoed Richardson's comments, saying the playing group had formed a tighter bond under Hardwick and Cotchin's revitalised leadership.
"There's a big connection now," he said.
"I think last year we weren't that connected as a group. Now we've certainly come together.
"We go to dinner together and celebrate special occasions together, and we're a tight unit."
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