Richmond on the cusp of AFL greatness but confident Geelong stands in its way in grand final

A decade after Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale was ridiculed for the club’s bold plan to win three premierships by 2020 and boost membership numbers to 75,000, the Tigers are now on the cusp of greatness.

Having already smashed its ambitious membership target by more than 25,000, Richmond enters Saturday night’s historic grand final under lights at the Gabba with the chance to fulfill that once-derided premiership ambition by securing a third flag in the space of four seasons.

To do so would elevate Damien Hardwick’s side into esteemed company.

In this millennium, Brisbane (2001-2003) and Hawthorn (2013-2015) both won three consecutive premierships to earn their place among the AFL’s greatest sides.

Geelong won three flags across a…