Anatomy of a Comeback: Richmond's Greatest Preliminary Final Turnarounds

Executive Summary

For the Richmond Football Club, the path to its modern dynasty era was not paved with straightforward victories. It was forged in the crucible of the Preliminary Final, the AFL’s most unforgiving stage. Between 2017 and 2020, the Tigers authored a trilogy of comeback masterclasses in these penultimate matches, each distinct in its adversity yet unified by a relentless, system-driven will. This case study dissects the anatomy of those three legendary turnarounds against Greater Western Sydney (2017), Geelong (2020), and the pivotal momentum shift against Port Adelaide (2020). We examine how Damien Hardwick’s philosophy, the leadership of Trent Cotchin, the genius of Dustin Martin, and an unwavering collective belief transformed seemingly dire situations into iconic launching pads for premiership glory. These were not merely wins; they were definitive statements that cemented the Yellow and Black as a modern powerhouse.

Background / Challenge

The Preliminary Final is a unique beast in Australian sport. The prize is the grandest stage; the consequence of failure is a season’s work rendered irrelevant. For RFC, the weight of history added to this pressure. Prior to 2017, the club’s Preliminary Final record was a source of anguish, with painful losses extending a 37-year premiership drought. The prestige of the club was haunted by the "Prelim Final curse."

Each of the three matches in focus presented a monumental, distinct challenge:

2017 vs. Greater Western Sydney (at the Melbourne Cricket Ground): The Cinderella story. After finishing 13th the previous year, Richmond’s fairytale season faced a brutal reality check. A young, physical Giants team dominated the first half, leading by 14 points and seemingly overpowering the Tigers at the contest. The challenge was as much psychological as physical—could this unproven group handle the furnace of a Preliminary Final and shed decades of negative narrative?
2020 vs. Port Adelaide (at the Adelaide Oval): The hostile fortress. In a season relocated to Queensland hubs due to the pandemic, the Tigers faced a true away final. Port Adelaide was minor premier, undefeated at home, and roared to a 22-point lead early in the second quarter before a parochial, capacity crowd. The challenge was environmental and tactical: to silence a rampant opponent and a hostile crowd in a must-win interstate final.
2020 vs. Geelong (at the Gabba): The tactical stalemate. After conquering Port, Richmond met a seasoned Geelong team that executed a perfect, defensive first half. The Cats controlled territory, suffocated Richmond’s ball movement, and led by 21 points at halftime. The challenge was intellectual: to problem-solve a sophisticated game plan that was systematically dismantling their own, with a Grand Final berth on the line.

In each scenario, the Tigers were behind, under pressure, and staring at a season’s end. The dynasty hung in the balance.

Approach / Strategy

The foundation for these comebacks was not built in the heat of the moment, but over years at Punt Road Oval. Hardwick’s evolution from a rigid strategist to a mentor of culture and system was paramount. The strategy was not about individual heroics, but about triggering a collective mechanism.

The core strategic pillars were:

1. Unwavering System Faith: Regardless of scoreboard deficit, the coaching mantra was "play your role, trust the system." The chaotic, high-pressure game plan—built on relentless forward-half pressure, coordinated defensive zoning, and quick ball movement—was designed to be sustainable. The belief was that if the effort and structure remained, the scoreboard would eventually reflect it.


2. Leadership as a Stabilizing Force: Cotchin’s captaincy evolved into a model of poised ferocity. His role during these crises was not necessarily to win the ball himself, but to embody the required response—unflinching composure, fierce contest work, and absolute belief. He was the on-ground manifestation of the system’s faith.


3. Empowerment of Key Catalysts: While a team system was crucial, specific players were empowered to break games open. Dustin Martin was given the license to hunt the ball and impose himself when momentum was needed. Bachar Houli was instructed to dare with his run from defence. Jack Riewoldt was tasked with creating a contest, even when outnumbered. The system created the framework for individual brilliance to flourish.


4. The "Next Moment" Mentality: A key psychological ploy was the dismissal of the broader narrative. Players were coached to focus solely on the "next contest," the "next tackle," the "next play." This micro-focus prevented overwhelm and made a large deficit feel surmountable, one action at a time.

Implementation Details

The execution of this strategy differed in each game, showcasing the system’s adaptability.

2017 vs. GWS: The Pressure Avalanche
After a subdued first half, the trigger was a sheer increase in physical intensity. Alex Rance became an impassable wall in defence, while Dion Prestia and Cotchin ignited the midfield grind. The turnaround was epitomized by a third-quarter blitz where the Tigers’ famed pressure rating skyrocketed. They harassed the Giants into a series of turnovers, converting them into rapid, demoralizing goals. It was a victory of will, turning the Melbourne Cricket Ground into a cauldron of noise that fueled the players. Martin’s physical presence and a crucial goal from Riewoldt were the exclamation points on a half of football that completely overwhelmed the opposition.

2020 vs. Port Adelaide: Stealing the Silence
Facing a 22-point deficit in a roaring Adelaide Oval, the implementation was about strategic strikes. The Tigers didn’t panic. They slowly strangled Port’s run through controlled possession and fierce tackling, led by Prestia and Martin in the engine room. Key goals just before halftime, including one from a relentless forward-50 tackle, cut the margin and, critically, stole the crowd’s energy. The third quarter was a clinical display of territory control. They kicked four goals to one, not with a frenzied burst, but with a methodical, confident grind that conveyed a sense of inevitability.

2020 vs. Geelong: The Tactical Reboot
This was the most cerebral comeback. Geelong’s control was tactical. At halftime, Hardwick and his coaches simplified the message: increase handball speed to break the Cats’ defensive set-up, and back their runners. The implementation was immediate. Houli and others began to dash from defence with dare. Martin, who had been quiet, was sent into the centre bounces and proceeded to deliver a quarter of pure destruction—11 disposals, clearances, and a breathtaking goal. The team’s ball movement shifted from slow and predictable to direct and unpredictable, dismantling Geelong’s structure in a stunning third-quarter 8-goals-to-1 onslaught.

Results (Use Specific Numbers)

The outcomes of these comebacks were transformative, both immediately and historically.

2017: Outscored GWS by 40 points in the second half (8.6.54 to 2.2.14). Won the contested possession count by +20 after halftime and the clearance count by +13. The 36-point victory (15.13.103 to 9.13.67) sent Richmond to its first Grand Final since 1982, where they would secure the 2017 premiership and break the drought.
2020 vs. Port Adelaide: After trailing by 22 points early in the second term, Richmond kicked 12 of the next 15 goals of the match. They held Port goalless for a critical 40-minute period across the second and third quarters. The 39-point win (6.10.46 to 12.13.85) was a staggering reversal in one of the league’s most feared fortresses.
2020 vs. Geelong: Trailed by 21 points at halftime. The third-quarter response was a historic 8.2.50 to 1.1.7 blitz, a 43-point swing in a single term. Dustin Martin finished with 25 disposals, 6 clearances, and 2 goals in a best-on-ground performance. The 31-point victory booked a place in the 2020 Grand Final.
* Cumulative Dynasty Impact: These three comeback wins directly led to three Grand Final appearances, resulting in three premierships (2017 flag, 2019 premiership, 2020 premiership). The combined second-half scoring across these three Prelims? Richmond 237 points to their opponents’ 116 points—a staggering differential of +121 points.

Key Takeaways

1. Culture Overplays Talent: The comebacks were powered by a deeply ingrained belief system, not just skillful players. The "next moment" mentality and trust in the game plan were non-negotiable cultural tenets that held under extreme pressure.


2. Adaptability is a Weapon: The system was not rigid. It could morph from a pressure-based onslaught (2017) to a territory grind (2020 vs. Port) to a tactical overhaul (2020 vs. Geelong). This flexibility, orchestrated by Hardwick, made the Tigers unpredictable and resilient.


3. Momentum is Manufactured: Richmond did not wait for momentum to magically appear. They manufactured it through collective acts—a Cotchin tackle, a Rance intercept, a Houli dash. They understood that momentum is the sum of disciplined, effort-based actions.


4. The Stage Empowers the Greats: The heightened pressure of the Preliminary Final did not stifle Richmond’s stars; it liberated them. Martin’s Norm Smith-calibre heroics were consistently summoned when needed most, proving his and the team’s big-game temperament. For more on this, see our analysis of Dusty Martin's Norm Smith Finals Heroics.


5. Leadership is Action, Not Oratory: Trent Cotchin’s leadership in these moments was defined by his contest work and demeanour. His calm, determined actions under fire did more to steady the team than any speech. His evolution as a leader is chronicled in our piece on Trent Cotchin's Leadership in Final Series.

Conclusion

The Richmond Football Club’s dynasty era is defined by premierships, but it was built in Preliminary Finals. The comebacks of 2017, and the double of 2020, represent the ultimate validation of a football philosophy and a team’s character. They demonstrated that the Yellow and Black were not just a talented team, but a psychologically formidable institution.

These victories transformed the club’s identity. The "Prelim Final curse" was not just broken; it was obliterated and replaced with an aura of invincibility in the clutch moments. The Melbourne Cricket Ground roar of 2017, the silenced Adelaide Oval in 2020, and the tactical masterclass at the Gabba later that same year—each comeback was a chapter in a story of resilience. They proved that for this Richmond team, no deficit was insurmountable, no environment too hostile, and no tactical puzzle unsolvable. The anatomy of these comebacks reveals the true heart of a champion team: a system trusted, leaders who act, and a belief that the next moment is always theirs to win.

For further dissection of the moments that defined this era, explore our library of Finals Moments Analysis.