It had taken me very little time to accept that there would be no footy in 2020. In the teeth of a global pandemic that would cause our health system to collapse, losing a season of footy seemed a small thing. And once crowds were out, well footy was out. I’ve long argued the point that our game, at the top level, is not about the great mark or the long kick. It’s about the crowd. Take out the crowd and you might have a pretty spectacle but you won’t have any drama.
Thursday June 11 2020
It had taken me very little time to accept that there would be no footy in 2020. In the teeth of a global pandemic that would cause our health system to collapse, losing a season of footy seemed a small thing. And once crowds were out, well footy was out. I’ve long argued the point that our game, at the top level, is not about the great mark or the long kick. It’s about the crowd. Take out the crowd and you might have a pretty spectacle but you won’t have any drama.
Consequently, I was a non-believer in round 1. Just declare the season over, I said, and give the flag to us. Everyone knew we were going to win again. It follows from this that I have watched with some dread and misgiving as the AFL pushed and shoved and prodded and poked until its 2020 season came back to life.
Anyway, back to life it came and back to the ‘G go our boys and the Pies. One good thing about there being no crowd – there is no agonising on this cold Thursday night about going or not going – the couch or the outer? That decision was made for us. So, onto the couch we go.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore the match all the players take a knee in solidarity with their brothers and sisters of colour and the injustices meted out to them by police and others. It’s a moving sight and I’m proud of all of them.
In no time though I’m nostalgic for the early days of the pandemic, when tens of thousands of lives were at stake and our civilisation faced possible ruin. At least we didn’t have football to endure. And how I have not missed that sick feeling of dread as the Pies take control of the game and our boys look like they don’t know what they’re doing.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe big trouble with Collingwood is that they have an awful lot of very good players. If truth be told, more skilful players than us. Grundy, who is forever monstrous for that last-second goal that sank us in round 2 2016 – and which foretold our season quite accurately – is bigger and better than ever. De Goey is simply terrifying – he’s like Dusty but can take a high mark and possibly kick the ball further. Luckily, he seems to lack Dusty’s consistency.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnyway, the Pies get the first goal and the second and then a third. After 20 minutes I leave the couch and I miss Collingwood’s fourth. My family are having a GoTo meeting in the wake of my Mum breaking her wrist. This is a very pleasant diversion. Mum appears cheerful and is now out of hospital and my brother is with her in Wodonga. After half an hour or so I get back to the couch and things have improved slightly. Tom Lynch has kicked three in a quarter but we’re still 14 points down at half time.
Half time score: Collingwood 5.3.33 to Richmond 3.1.19
The second half is easier to watch than the first quarter but that’s not saying a lot. We edge closer with a goal and then just before the last break Higgins marks a missed shot for goal. Everyone assumes it has gone through for a point before he’s marked it but there’s a score review and the result is “no score”, a mark instead to young Jack. Of course, he goes back and bananas it through for a goal and we’re only two points down.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe last quarter is very old fashioned – like, 1858-old fashioned. We kick four points and Collingwood kick two. I actually enjoy it as it’s pretty exciting and the fake crowd noise is amusing. Then we level the scores right near the end and I think we could sneak another and win it but instead Collingwood bring the ball down-field with much of their usual skill and I cry out, “We’ll take the draw! We’ll take the draw!” The ball goes out for a throw-in deep in their forward line with a handful – a Grundy handful you could say – of seconds left. But the Tigers manage to smother it again and the siren goes and it’s all over and we’ve taken two points off our dreaded enemies.
Embed from Getty ImagesWayne Carey says “Nobody likes draws” and I say, “No, nobody likes you Wayne.” Honestly. Not one player or coach or club official is heard to say “I’d rather they’d beaten us, I’d feel so much better.” No, and no supporters say that either. How could you? I’d rather die of thirst than have half a glass? Nobody says that.
But everyone agrees it has been a very strange night. Footy might be back but it’s a zombie version that we recognise, but barely. I note with interest that there is no music blaring during the post-match interviews, nor at the breaks. This proves my long-argued point – the music blares out to drown out the crowd. If there’s no crowd, there’s no need for the music.
Jack Higgins might not be our best player on the night but he’s the best story. He says after the game that he came close to very serious brain damage after his two operations. To be playing footy again is a miracle and something to celebrate.
Full time score: Collingwood 5.6.36 to Richmond 5.6.36
Editor’s note: There was no round 1 match report or Benny votes because I think all of us at TTBB didn’t feel the season should go ahead, and it was a terribly flat game in the end. But here we are now, footy is happening, and at some point we will duck back and assign some votes to Round 1 as well.
Embed from Getty ImagesBenny Votes
Higgins 5, Soldo 4, Cotchin 3, Houli 2, Lynch 1
Blair Hartley Appreciation Award:
for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2020: Caddy, Grigg, Houli, Lynch, Nankervis and Prestia)
Houli 2, Lynch 1
Anthony Banik Best First Year Player:
for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2020: Collier-Dawkins, Dow, Turner, English, Martyn, Cumberland, Aarts, Ralphsmith, Nyuon, Miller)
No votes yet
Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot:
for left footers
(Eligible 2020: Chol, Nankervis and Houli)
Houli 2
Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
(Eligible 2020: Aarts, Baker, Chol, Eggmolesse-Smith, Stack and Pickett)
No votes yet
Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler in 2020
Soldo 12
Prestia 10
Pickett 9
Martin, Bolton 8
Trevor Watson says
I’ll accept footy in whatever form it takes. I look forward to seeing which teams rise to the challenge in this abnormal season #gotiges