2004 can only be described as an annus horribilus for the Richmond Tigers. The club lost 2 million dollars, the board had to fight off a challenge, the coach and most of his staff were given their marching orders, the team won 4 games for the year, losing the last 14 in a row and picked up the dreaded Wooden Spoon for coming last.

The Tigers acquired 3 things that were going to be unveiled to the general public on the 18th of February 2005. The first was Terry Wallace, Terry was a member of the great Hawthorn Premiership sides of the 80's, he played briefly with Richmond and then found a home with the Bulldogs where he ended his playing career as a highly respected member of one of the leagues toughest sides. Later Terry became the senior coach of the Bulldogs and led them from 15th spot on the ladder to a Preliminary Final in his first full year, he repeated the performance the following year. Under his coaching the Bulldogs were a regular finals participant and as the financial pressure mounted Terry sought greener pastures and wound up in the media. Richmond pulled off a recruiting coup by signing the shrewd coach to a 5 year deal after losing the services of Danny Frawley midway through 2004. The game plan would be different and the fans wanted to see it.

The second and third acquisitions came in November on draft day. Coming last is consoled somewhat by getting the number one draft pick and if a team has less than 5 wins on the board they also get a priority pick, Richmond's was 4. It came as no surprise that the Tigers selected Kyabram youngster Brett Deledio, a quick and classy midfielder with the number 1 selection. The only thing that surprised people about the selection of the exciting Aboriginal speedster Richard Tambling at number 4 was that he was still available. Friday February 18 would be their introduction to the footballing public and people could not wait to see it.

Terry's game plan was on show from the first minute and it was a joy to see that the slow, negative, overly defensive, stop and prop, chip the ball around the boundary game plan of Danny Frawley had been abandoned in favour of a quick, exciting, direct and high scoring brand of football. Tambling started early and once he found his feet the crowd were oohing and aahing at this curly headed young man. His first score was an opportunistic shot that was unlucky to miss the centre of the goals, the second was a nine point supergoal from outside fifty, following a blistering run that left Collingwood chaser Scott Burns sprawled on the ground watching Tambling scorch the grass. There was also a mark on Cameron Cloke's shoulders that left the stupid Pie looking like the flat footed, poorly skilled thug that he is.

Deledio came on partway through the first quarter and immediately took a mark that he shouldn't have even been able to get near, this kid is quick! He unfortunately blotted his copy book by delivering the resulting kick directly to a Collingwood player. He later redeemed himself by swooping on a ball swatted away from the contest by Matthew Richardson, running on and drilling a goal from thirty out, he was in the thick of the action for most of the game, getting the ball from the centre and creating play.

Although Richmond lost the match supporters walked away confident that they had unveiled a clever coach with a winning game plan and two future champions.