Richmond's best player Brett Deledio has warned not to underestimate the perennial AFL strugglers this season in a year in which the club not only has a new coach in Damien Hardwick but also a staggering 14 new players.
The Tigers head into the 2010 season as favourites to win the wooden spoon following the axing of coach Terry Wallace last year and a virtual cleanout of the list by new coach Hardwick - which has resulted in the departures of some of the club's most experienced players including Matthew Richardson, Joel Bowden, Nathan Brown and Mark Coughlan
And in their place come mostly untried youngsters.
But Deledio - who now finds himself in the strange position of being one of the club's most experienced players at the age of just 22 - believes the Tigers are capable of causing a few surprises this season under their new coach and with their brand new playing list.
"We are all excited, we are not sure yet what to expect but we are raring to go," he said on Wednesday, ahead of the Tigers' opening NAB Cup match against Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday night.
While this time last year the Tigers were the most hyped team heading into the season - following the recruitment of former West Coast captain Ben Cousins as they were widely tipped to make the eight before sliding into the abyss - Deledio believes the lack of hype surrounding the Tigers heading into 2010 could well work in their favour.
"We have got some good young players that are coming up and some guys that have put on some size so I reckon we can catch some sides out, no doubt about it," he said.
However Deledio said there was no doubt the Tigers would be fielding one of their most inexperienced line-ups ever this season following the departure of so many experienced players at the one time.
"I have noticed the biggest difference in our team meetings," he said.
"It's not dominated by the more experienced players anymore and the younger players feel like they can speak up."
"I am still only 22 but I feel like an old bloke down there at the moment."
"This is my sixth pre-season but and I guess I am trying to take as much responsibility as I can (to help) the younger guys but in saying that I am still pretty young myself."
While Deledio - who last year became the youngest player since Richmond's games' record holder Kevin Bartlett to have won two Jack Dyer Medals for the club's best and fairest - is now widely regarded as the club's best player, he is looking forward to getting more assistance in the midfield this year.
Deledio said not only is the Tigers' most talented youngster in Trent Cotchin finally over his injury problems that have marred his first two seasons but the club's top draft pick from last year in Dustin Martin has also made a huge impact since joining the club.
Martin appears not only a certain starter in Saturday's NAB Cup match but in the official season opener against Carlton on March 25 as well.
"He has come in and played some good footy early on and put a few of us older blokes to shame," Deledio said of the well-built teenager.
"He is nearly bigger than most of us already and he wins quite a bit of his footy, which is great."