Round 17 v GWS at the Sydney Showgrounds

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Winning makes me nervous.

This is of course, a new discovery, given that Richmond hasn’t really been a Winning Team before in my lifetime. The nerves have always been there, though prior to this season that were linked with the fear of what would come after the final siren. What calamity would befall us? Which team would scorch us with a six-goal run, or come from behind in the dying stages to deal that final blow? What would that one Hawthorn fan say on Monday morning? (or on facebook straight after the game)

The thought of this game was making me nervous, and that may have influenced my go-to statement on Saturday morning at the shop.
“I don’t really want to finish on top of the ladder, it’s a bit of a curse. I won’t be too upset if we drop this one.”

Spoiler alert, I was quite upset.

Q1
For the first few minutes it’s the Toby Greene Show, despite the fact he starts on the bench. Apparently he will ‘take some time to find his feet’ when he does come on, and that’s fine as long as he doesn’t find his foot in the face of one of our players.

When he does come on, the crowd roars, which is not something I thought I’d say about a GWS crowd. They can also be heard as the Giants kick the first two goals, apparently, we’ll be taking some time to find our feet too.

I am struck by Shane Edwards’ beard. It is a very good beard.

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Our first goal is a Rioli goal, following great pressure from George (Oh, George) and Snags. Soon after, Cotch misses a shot that Luke Darcy tells us he’d normally kick, and I love my captain but nah, not really.
Q1 is patchy, and while we start getting more of the ball, we’re struggling to do much with it. Rioli goals again and you feel it might be ok.

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Q2
I begin face-timing with my 2yo niece, and intend to come back and rewatch the quarter, and by the end of the match I want to forget this game exists, so I never get back there, and the rest of this couch report is cliffnotes.

Also, 17 tackles to half time is rubbish, and we are clearly missing the tackling pressure of Graham and Conca.

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Q3
Both teams struggle with inaccuracy in front of goal, and the only highlight of this term is that Astbury plays well in his 100th game. I’ve been very emotional about Swoop’s 100th, particularly seeing Lids post a congratulatory Instagram story. It can never be said enough how determined, brave and dedicated Dave Astbury has been throughout his time at Richmond. He has worked so hard to build his game to this high standard, and has become a true leader of our team, while facing cruel injury setbacks and the wrath of a stingray. DAAS forever.

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Q4
I am optimistic about the 4th quarter, believing a strong start and better ball use would put us in good stead. Another goal to Daniel and things look promising, but it’s never quite our night, and things just don’t go our way.

Young players have chances, and our leaders go their hardest, but it’s just not meant to be. Poor George has a rough night in front of goal, kicking 5 behinds. I have no doubt that the boys will get around him, focusing on all the things he does to get those scoring opportunities, because that’s the Richmond way, and that he’ll have a blinder soon. For now I hope someone gives him a hug and some ice-cream.

The nerves return in the dying stages, as it looks as though we might flip the script on 2017 – sneaking in for a victory at the very last moment, but the siren sounds and there is no miracle, just that strange sound from the west of the town.

The rational part of me thinks that this could be good, the loss we needed to have to keep us grounded. The emotional part of me watches Toby Greene do a post-match interview with a water bottle stuffed down the front his pants and wants to throw something at the television.

I’d like to go back to winning now, nerves and all.

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Votes
Votes are hard and our team is very even.
5. Prestia – Love his work, love how he uses the low centre of gravity to his advantage.
4. Rioli – We are so lucky to have him. He is a delight to watch.
3. Grimes – Does what needs to be done.
2. Dusty – Getting back his dominance.
1. Lambert – Great player, so, so glad to have him.

Leaderboard