After doing some smart business off the field resurgent Richmond can prove their on-field smarts in what looms as a ferocious midfield showdown with AFL premiers Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.
With gun full forward Jack Riewoldt on Friday committing to three more seasons with the club, the momentum bandwagon keeps rolling for the success-starved Tigers.
A win over fellow finals aspirant Fremantle last week provided further evidence of a genuine Richmond revival, with the Tigers notching their eighth win from their last ten starts.
But a first SCG win in nine years would underline they are worthy of a first finals berth in 12 years.
Sydney have won four on the trot and lost just one of their last nine.
Richmond, who have won their last two games against the Swans at the MCG, started the round in sixth spot and a win on Sunday would move them within two points of fourth-placed Sydney.
"It's going to be a contested game which we certainly like," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said of the Swans clash.
"We look forward to that style of footy also."
Likewise, Sydney are relishing the prospect of a bruising battle against a rising Richmond on-ball brigade.
"They are number one in scores for stoppage differentials so their centre bounce work and their stoppages around the ground has been amazing all year and they score from them," Swans' midfield coach Leigh Tudor said of Richmond.
"We've got a really big challenge on our hands because they get first possession and off they go, they score.
"They are defending a lot better, you can see that.
"When a team wins six of their last seven at AFL level, you are going pretty good if that happens, so we are under no illusions it's going to be a really tough game."
Sydney's much vaunted midfield starred in last week's away win over West Coast, with their depth and versatility continuing to trouble opposing sides.
"(Dan) Hannebery and (Luke) Parker and Tom Mitchell have gone inside a little bit the last few weeks which is a little bit of a change for us," Tudor said.
"But (Josh) Kennedy and (Kieren) Jack and (Ryan) O'Keefe have just been fantastic again for us this year and they are real professionals.
"They get themselves up for every game and they are really keen for the battle this week."
Sydney have named an unchanged side, while Richmond have made one enforced change, with midfielder Shane Tuck replacing the injured Jake King.
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