Former Richmond captain Trent Cotchin believes the resurgent Tigers can yet do something special with their revived AFL season.
The Tigers claimed their third win on the bounce in Saturday night's 20-point victory over St Kilda to celebrate Cotchin's 300th game in style.
They now sit just two points outside the top eight ahead of the bye after the rocky start that culminated in coach Damien Hardwick calling time.
"The connection across the ground - that's when you know that there's real confidence amongst the group and it doesn't rely on an individual or a few individuals," triple-premiership skipper Cotchin said.
"It relies on everyone, it sounds really boring but playing their role and executing on their role. But I think that's where our confidence continues to build and grow.
"We've probably still got huge growth in that area as well and that's what's really exciting for our group.
"We've got some players that are chipping away in rehab that would love to be out there at the moment and the VFL performed really well today, some great young talent that are showing great signs there.
"So we're really excited about what the back end of the season can look like.
"Obviously it's been a bit of a slog to get to round 15 bye. It feels like a long beginning to the season but we know that we can play some real good footy in the back half."
The Tigers have three wins and one tight loss to leaders Port Adelaide under interim coach Andrew McQualter.
"There's a willingness to go to work and make sure that you do your part to make the team better," Cotchin said.
"That's not to say that it wasn't there earlier in the year but it's definitely been a focus for the last four or five weeks and our guys thrive on that and we're really excited about what that can do for us moving forward."
Cotchin waxed lyrical about midfield recruit Tim Taranto, who delivered another star performance including 38 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal.
"He's a superstar," he said.
"You forget how young he still is. But just an incredible person - willing to work on everything.
"To see him and the workrate that he puts into each game but also win contested possession, continue to show up, the way he trains, the way that he prepares is very much the top echelon of players that I've seen.
"He's getting his just desserts with regards to numbers but it's not like he's gifted them - he'd be leading our contested possessions and he's a real joy to work with."
