Damien Hardwick is in unfamiliar territory and could not be happier.
For only the second time in his time as Richmond coach, they have started an AFL season with two wins, and they have minimal injuries.
While there is a long way to go this season, Hardwick had a lot to be happy about after Thursday night's scrappy 19-point win over Collingwood.
"We probably couldn't be in a better place at the moment," he said.
"It probably hasn't been a strong suit of ours ... with injury and form (early in the season).
"We didn't play our best tonight, but we won ugly, it's a good result for us.
After dropping out of the finals last season, Hardwick said the players had come back from their break hungry and were determined to do better.
It was probably easier to pick Collingwood's best players, but Hardwick was rapt that Richmond found a way to fight back in the second half.
"We spoke about it at the end of the game ... everyone stood up at a certain stage," Hardwick said.
Their greater depth was reflected in selections this week - Richmond made three unforced changes, despite a regulation round-one win over Carlton.
It also helps when the captain plays so well.
Trent Cotchin was outstanding and he capped his best on ground performance with two crucial tackles in the last quarter when the result was on the line.
"Trent plays his best footy when he stalks the opposition and we saw that tonight," Hardwick said.
"His last quarter was huge and that's why he's captain."
Ruck-forward Ben Griffiths suffered concussion after landing heavily in a marking contest and is in doubt for Saturday week's big match against West Coast at the MCG.
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