Rich are not as far ahead of everyone as people seem to be making out. Yeah they smashed GWS in the GF - but could see that result coming a mile away given GWS's lead in and their long injury list. How so called experts thought GWS were going to get within about 8 goals, let alone some who thought they might even win, was nothing short of staggering. But you only have to look at weeks 1 and 3 of finals - rich were absolutely dominated in the 1st half of both games by their opponents, but those opponents wasted the multiple chances they were provided to put serious scoreboard pressure on especially the lions in week 1. Yes rich were good enough to turn the tide in the 2nd half of each game, but that doesn't change the fact they were completely out played in the 1st half of both of those finals and were very fortunate to be as close as they were. Going to be perhaps the tightest season in memory, and htere is not that much between rich and probably 5 other sides at the top end
Dusty gets a corky and they fall back to the pack pretty quickly.
People say Richmond's success is based on system and role players but take out one or two of their top liners they become as vulnerable as any other top six side.
Collingwood proved that in 2018.