Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

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A Tiger in Madagascar

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TTBB’s old mate and constant supporter Tiger Tommo, last heard of in Kenya, is currently working in Madagascar. He’s just been in touch to say he’s coming to town for Round 1, he’ll be outside the G with a radio and a few beers.

EDIT: this has been overtaken by events. As of midnight tonight all arrivals in Australia are required by law to self isolate for 14 days. Tommo won’t be at the MCG and that is terrible for him, having come so far.

TTBB is in favour of these measures. We love our footy but these strong measures instituted early will save lives. We have to learn from what has happened in other countries, where people now wish events has closed down earlier.

There will be thousands of sad stories like Tommo’s, but we’ll get through this by sticking together and all staying apart.

AFLW r4 v Geelong at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo

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On Saturday we met fellow strugglers Geelong at Bendigo. Queen Elizabeth Oval looked an absolute picture, one of Australia’s prettiest grandstands.There were goals each early. A very high standard 1st Q, clean hands everywhere, although not much action on this scoreboard. We trailed 7 – 9 at halftime – our goal though Courtney Wakefield on the end of a perfect pass from Phoebe Monahan.
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On Saturday we met fellow strugglers Geelong at Bendigo. Queen Elizabeth Oval looked an absolute picture, one of Australia’s prettiest grandstands.

There were goals each early. A very high standard quarter, clean hands everywhere, although not much action on the scoreboard. Our goal though Courtney Wakefield on the end of a perfect pass from Phoebe Monahan.

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Immediately in the 2nd Q McClelland goaled from a free after long hopeful bomb from Brennan. Then … a Cats clinic. Darby, McDonald, McWilliams and Cranston did as they pleased for the hoops, great hands. They had 11-2 i50s for the quarter. They kept just getting over the back of us with long kicks. I think our back six was a strength in the first two games but connection has gone missing in the 2nd quarter last week and this week. Cats got some lucky 50s [that were technically there but geez].  19-46 at half time.

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We are getting nothing from the umpies – a broken record this season. It’s odious to compare AFLW players to famous male counterparts of course but Akec Makur Chuot has some early Alex Rance about her. It’s now 19-60 and the game’s gone.

Sabrina Frederick is a big power forward but her field kicks are disappointing. When we are humming (probably round 8) we’ll be seeing Campbell or Conti or Brennan or Monahan cruising past Sabs for the handball.

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Suddenly, we pinged three in a row through Bernardi, Wakefield, Jacques, that’s our best five minutes of the season. Conti instrumental in all three.

  • McDonald kicked it straight to Bernadi on the hotspot.
  • Bernardi strong mark from a quick kick to advantage from Brennan.
  • Great forward pressure from Wakefield held the ball in f50, then Kodi Jaques followed up her own high kick, took a handball from Conti, and rolled a lovely bouncing shot over and under the defence and through the middle. 37-60 and suddenly the complexion is changing.
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Then Sabs puts in repeat efforts and is rewarded with a free, and salutes with a big roost from 40m. Its 43-61.

On the brink of 3QT Brennan was clattered by Ivey who didn’t look at the ball at any stage – chose to crunch a player that didn’t have the ball. Later Ivey was rightfully given a one week spell.

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Katie Brennan spent the 3rd quarter on the bench. “Resting a player with possible concussion – its a no brainer” says Peta Searle, awkwardly.

Grace Campbell might be a bit lippy, she seems to inspire some rough responses. Makur Chuot gives it away, Monahan and Miller collide and the Cats goal to relieve pressure. Great chain of possession ended with Wood streaming into kick her first goal and she shanks it. Another chain started by a surging Rebecca Miller ended with a Conti give-and-go and a indecisive kick, neither pass nor shot. But she’s been massive for us.

Katie Brennan was initially given the thumbs up to return to the game then suddenly, the cue was in the rack. “The Tigers brains trust have thought better of their assessment…” says Sam Lane, awkwardly.

Final score: Geelong 10 7 67 d Richmond 7 3 45

Conti had 28 touches, Monahan 20. Bernardi with just 4 touches was tagged out of it. Ella Wood had just 2 touches but 4 tackles. Wakefield took 5 marks and kicked 3 goals, more than the whole side managed in their previous games. Alice Edmonds made 32 hitouts and 4 tackles.

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The Maureen for best player
5 votes – Monica Conti
4 votes – Courtney Wakefield
3 votes – Phoebe Monahan
2 votes – Alice Edmonds
1 votes – Grace Campbell 

Leaderboard
16 Monahan
13 Conti
9 Campbell
6 Wakefield
5 Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot
2 Brennan, Edmonds, Frederick
1 Stahl

The Kate Sheahan Shield for players recruited with AFLW experience [eligible: Burchall, Bailey, Tesoreiro, Frederick, Bernardi, Conti, Whitford, Ross, Makur Chuot, Monahan]
16 Monahan
13 Conti
5 Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot
2 Brennan, Frederick

The Peggy O’Neal Claret Jug for best AFLW first year player [eligible: everyone else not in above list]
9 Campbell
6 Wakefield
2 Edmonds
1 Stahl

The Kate Dixon Grip of Death for our top tackler
19 – Conti, Jacques, Sansonetti
18 – Campbell
17 – Woodward
16 – Brennan
12 – Wakefield

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AFLW r2 v Gold Coast at Carrara

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I watched most of this game on my phone, knowing the result. It clashed with cooking dinner for guests. I peeked at it and was dismayed taht after a 2-goal first quarter we got stuck in the mud – but didnt see a final score until much later. Good on the SUns jagging their first win, they were better when it counted.
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I watched most of this game later on my phone, already knowing the result. It clashed with cooking dinner for guests. I peeked at it live and was dismayed that after a 2-goal first quarter we got stuck in the mud – but I didn’t see a final score until much later. Good on the Suns jagging their first win, they were better when it counted.

Fox bring us this game with an all-male comms team. Ben Waterworth says “Position A” too much but otherwise is OK. My under 13 soccer teammate Alistair Lynch is not popular on Twitter – and I agree he doesn’t add a lot of insight.

Q1 Suns are a goal up quick smart through a soccer goal to Stanton on the end of a soccer assist from Perry, who has used body position to undo the taller Akec Makur Chuot twice already. A long kick came in over the pack.

Bernardi takes a huge mark down back – isn’t she a forward? We are making bad choices with our kicks inside 50. Suns are crisp and have cleaner hands. It’s very muggy and 30° and a bit of rain falls during the game; and we drop more uncontested marks than the Suns.

Bernardi gets another soccer goal back for us from a similar long kick over the pack from Conti, although this was lucky as it came off hands nicely. Bernardi is 5th on the AFLW all-time goal kicking ladder. We are getting on top now, with the ball held in our half for a long time. Frederick hooks a behind when there was time for her to be more composed. Grace Campbell on debut is lightning quick. Constable Alice Edmonds kicked sideways inboard to no-one and Campbell was there like a shot.

Bloodnut Molan is having a good start; she hits Tayla Stahl on the chest with a pinpoint pass. Stahl did a great job to hold her position – and kicks the goal to put us in front.

We get a 50m penalty in the centre and Campbell seizes the ball and tries to outsprint the umpie to crib a bit extra. Stahl has another shot and falls millimetres short. Sabs is unlucky with a touched ball that sailed through the middle. It’s 1.2 to 2.2. Courtney Wakefield seems to have a better gut feel for kicking inside 50 but its her that we want in there marking them.

The Suns box us into defence for the last minute. Someone kicks to Rebecca Miller on the bounce; she probably should have made ground to mark it. She takes a while to grasp it and is caught HTB. Then there’s a 50m pen as the siren goes; so scores are level at 2.2 as the girls swap ends.

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Q2 A good goal straight off to Britt Perry (a state player in cricket). Suns are leading, marking and kicking long and straight. It’s just good football and we aren’t countering it as well as we countered Carlton last week. The back six that should move around as though connected by elastic; seems to be getting isolated and lost. Mon Conti looks like she has gone up a gear from last week, out of basketball mode and ready to play footy. KB seems to be off the boil in my opinion. Campbell is prominent but plays like she is used to dominating at a lower level; attempts the impossible at times. She was 3rd in our VFLW best and fairest. 4.3 to 2.4 at half time.

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Q3 Brennan hoists a high kick and it literally lands on Sabs’ head. We are very predictable, kicks aren’t favouring her, and she’s not a mobile player. It’s just not working. Frederick marks at centre half forward then dithers until she has to play on, and is caught holding the ball. I am clutching my head now. Yorston scores a lovely goal after slick and sophisticated ball movement. Stahl marks well again, and spots up Brancatisano.

A quick aside: multisyllabic Italian names have given so much to football culture. In this team we are blessed with Brancatisano, Tesoreiro, Sansonetti, Bernardi and Conti. I hope they will have more storied Richmond careers than Renato Dintinosante (2 games, 2 losses).

Brancatisano shanks her kick and just scrapes a point. Suns lead 5.3 to 2.5 at the last change.

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Terrific centre break for us, Stahl gallops from the centre, sells the dummy and kicks to advantage for Wakefield who pulls in a great mark. She kicks to Sabs who drops the mark and gives away a free. [I don’t want to be on her case, but I am feeling a bit flat about her first couple of outings for us.] We dominate this quarter. Both teams are very tired, and the Suns are really just trying to hang on. We have plenty of chances at goal and kick 0.5 After one Bernardi miss, Alistair says “She’s cut the ears off that one” which is not a turn of phrase I’ve heard before.

The Suns do not score in the final quarter and win by 11 points.

OK, positives. Grace Campbell was very lively and should add heaps of toe to the side. Phoebe Monahan had 21 touches and did a load of work off the ball. The skipper didn’t have a great game but laid 6 tackles which is a great way to keep contributing when other parts of your game are rusty. That’s all I’ve got.

We are a quarter of the way through the home and away season. Coming up we’ve got Kangaroos, Geelong, Giants, St Kilda, Brisbane and Adelaide.

The Maureen for best player
5 votes – Phoebe Monahan
4 votes – Grace Campbell
3 votes – Monica Conti
2 votes – Christina Bernardi
1 votes – Tayla Stahl

Leaderboard
10 Monahan
5 Christina Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot, Campbell
3 Conti
2 Wakefield
1 Frederick, Stahl

10 Monahan
5 Christina Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot, Campbell
3 Conti
2 Wakefield
1 Frederick, Stahl

The Kate Sheahan Shield for players recruited with AFLW experience [eligible: Burchall, Bailey, Tesoreiro, Frederick, Bernardi, Conti, Whitford, Ross, Makur Chuot]
10 Monahan
5 Bernardi
4 Makur Chuot
3 Conti
1 Frederick

The Peggy O’Neal Claret Jug for best AFLW first year player [eligible: everyone else not in above list]
4 Campbell
2 Courtney Wakefield

The Kate Dixon Grip of Death for our top tackler
12 Sarah Sansonetti
11 Kodi Jaques, Alana Woodward
9 Katie Brennan, Phoebe Monahan

“The Originals” podcast

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If you are a podcast listener, don’t miss the new one by Sam Lane called The Originals. It’s about the background to Richmond’s women’s team, and it got my attention straight away with this quote from Peggy O’Neal;

If you are intrigued like I was by the thought of our capable and calm leader kicking over a chair; check it out here. https://www.richmondfc.com.au/richmond-media/podcasts/the-originals

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22 new Tigers

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I’ve been looking forward to last night for weeks, and really couldn’t sit still as the day went by. Richmond at last made it’s debut in the 4th season of AFLW. I won’t say this often about any game of senior footy, but the four points were not the main focus.

There are so many great stories around women’s footy, and the greatest are at either end of the age spectrum.

There are the older women who have had a chance to play Australian Rules at the highest level, in front of massive crowds. And I’ll bet if you walked them back to 2013 or 2014 you’d find someone playing basketball or hockey or netball who had given up on ever being able to play footy again after ageing out at 13 or 14. This applies to Olympians like Erin Phillips but also people like Lauren Tesoreiro who was coaching netball and working in a nursery.

At the other end of the scale are girls like Alexandra. She’s 3, and went along to the footy last night with her deep-dyed-Tiger dad Jason. She will grow up not remembering a time when Richmond fielded only men’s teams. Just like boys always have, she’ll be free to dream of herself one day, big and strong, fit and fearless, wearing the yellow and black and representing Richmond. I love that it’s now a possibility.

Alexandra with proud dad Jason at Ikon Park last night

I have three minor disappointments. The least of them is the result; it would have been amazing to come out and beat last year’s finalists in our first game, with goals aplenty to cheer.

We kicked two in the last quarter, but they were cheered very hard and will always be remembered.

I am a bit disappointed in the crowd. While I’m glad no-one who wanted to be there was left stuck outside, I do wish more Tigers had gone along to see the historic game. I know plenty of Richmond members, just like the wider footy world, are skeptical about the entertainment value of AFLW.

I would just ask every Tiger to embrace it now. Don’t wait for Richmond success to get on board. How would you have enjoyed 2017 if you hadn’t endured 2016 (and the rest)? I truly believe Richmond can bring something new to AFLW, and that manic defensive pressure and chaotic attack we love will show itself sooner rather than later.

Lastly I am sad that with the heavy traffic of players going in all directions and high profile additions to the club, we go into our first season without any of our 2018 foundation VFLW leaders on the list. Kate Dixon, Elise Hogan and Jess Kennedy. Elise retired in 2018 after 4 games due to concussion. Jess won the 2018 B&F but had a quieter year in 2019 – it just looks like neither she or Kate were redrafted to the AFLW list.

I guess that’s a reminder that this is not a charity, not muck-up-day, not a sideshow. This is a national league, these women are playing for their lives, and no-one gets a game without fighting for it. But Jess, Kate and Elise will always be on the Virtual Duffle Coat.

Mae O’Reilly is writing a match report so I won’t spend long on the game itself. Our defence was under siege throughout (conceded 1.8 in the first half) but I loved how they did their jobs. Like Sudanese AFLM players, Akec Makur Chuot stands out on appearance alone, but she was outstanding in her role at fullback. I felt like watching her and Seymour, Miller, Monahan – this is a back six I can get behind and I WILL learn everyone’s names.

Our first AFLW goal came through power forward Sabrina Frederick, and it was a wonderful moment. But how was the second goal; a big blonde nº8 for the Tigers takes the contested mark then plays on, sells the dummy and steers the long kick right through the middle. It’s hokey to compare to JR8 but I’m doing it anyway, well done Courtney Wakefield.

Next week: Gold Coast. Now its about the four points.

The 2019 season is over

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My first feeling after the siren in 2017 was: peeved. I can’t really explain it – I had expected Adelaide to win. That’s a pissweak explanation but I have never thought of a better one.

We were visiting Tiger mates in Launceston for the occasion. We had the whole last quarter to soak up the idea that we were going to win. But for me it didn’t happen. After the siren I sent silly terse responses to congratulatory texts, and refused to sit and watch the TV with our hosts as the usual muppets like Eddie sat behind their desk and mouthed platitudes about my club. I insisted Marcus come and kick the footy with me in the gathering dark while I tried to work out what it all meant.

As days went by and Richmond were still premiers, it started to really dawn on me that the drought was over, and happiness set in. I did my bumper sticker design, everyone loved it, and by then the 2017 premiership was a landmark in my life.

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Obviously it wasn’t a long wait for the 2019 premiership, but in a way it has felt like an eternity. In August 2018 it felt like we would not only win that one but every flag for the forseeable future. I had another think coming.

This season has been marvellous. No-one wants to see injuries, especially to senior players that disrupt the whole team plan for the season – but how well did we manage it? How seamlessly did every single replacement fit in? Ross, CCJ, Egg, Balta, Marbs.

25 games from big Tom.

Stacky! Marlion Picket!! They don’t call it Punt Road for nothing.

How impressive were our senior men like Dylan and Sheds and Caddy and Bachar and Dusty and Jack in learning new roles, finding an extra gear, shrugging off their own niggles?

Leading up to the Grand Final one after another I heard players say as Cotch did: it will be nice to win another flag, but… we are building something here and that’s what we are really proud of. This kind of process-not-results talk is very common but rarely is it as convincing and authentic.

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It didn’t convince me, and that’s because I was already thinking the same way. I don’t attend any finals; so Grand Final day was going to be very similar for me whoever was playing. Might watch it, or might not (like 2018 when I chopped a lot of firewood). Tiges turned it on in the 2nd half and got over Geelong – into the granny. Nice.

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Usually we have dinner with Mum and Dad on Saturdays. I organised for them to come to lunch instead with the idea that I would wave them off at the gate, then hunker down in front of the TV with Tiger Marcus and no other distractions.

The folks decided to stay for the first quarter. And also my wife’s sister and family announced they were going to come by to watch it with me (a lukewarm Collingwood fan, a North Melb fan who can probably name twenty players on their list, my niece who will spend the game on her phone, and a yappy small dog). I forgot to set the TV to record it. All sub-optimal.

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I’ll talk about the game itself in another post. We kicked 17 goals to 3.

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I felt really weird after. I didn’t want to be with other Tigers, didn’t want to talk or read about the game, couldn’t watch a replay, bought a Sunday Age for posterity only. Thoughts that went through my mind;

  • Take a complete year off from AFL footy
  • Leave TTBB
  • Delete my Twitter account (which is very Richmond-focussed all year round).
  • Take down my footy designs on Redbubble, swerve the responsibility of doing a 2019 premiership design, and forego the income for myself and the club-endorsed charities that did well out of it in 2017.

Why did I feel like this again? I might have an answer and its bloody obvious. I think it’s missing out. It’s missing the fun, missing being there.

We attended round 23, 2013, when we sealed a first finals spot for 18 years. And I felt like I didn’t need to join the chase for finals tickets; I was happy enough to just know we were there. And it turned out to be a crushing experience anyway for those in attendance.

Since then I have stuck to my approach; I leave the finals tickets for people who have attended through thick and thin over the years. So I missed three losing elimination finals, then I missed three glorious wins, then a solid hiding handed to Hawthorn, a shocker against Collingwood, two fighting come-from behind wins over Brisbane and Geelong, then this spanking of the Giants. I have missed all of that, and been happy to avoid the anxiety, drama and expense, and the social overload of all the online Tigers I know who’ll be there.

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But that approach ends now. Next time Richmond makes the finals, whenever that is, I am going to embrace the anxiety, the chaos and all my fellow Tigers. I am coming to Melbourne.

These are all my favourite photos from the day. Hats off to the photographers. Australian Football is pretty poorly served by administrators, commentators, journalists and whatever Sam Newman is – but what a wonderful lot of snappers we’ve got.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Marlion Pickett of the Tigers kicks his first AFL goal during the 2019 AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/via Getty Images )
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Round 19 v Collingwood at the MCG

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Clashing with this game, I was invited to go out to MONA and see Robert Forster. My gut reaction was noooo – its a huge game and I’ve got to watch it live. And Forster, aaaaah it’s great music but he’s such a knob. In the end, the gig won out. A night out with old friends can’t be recorded and experienced later like the footy. And Forster was actually great fun. I maintained radio silence and came into the house with no knowledge of the score; although I did sing Tigerland in the car on the way home. Optimism has become the new default. Turns out there was five minutes left and we were gone out of sight, it was our night. I have watched the replay and these are the highlights, celebrations and frustrations.

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Clashing with this game, I was invited to go out to MONA and see Robert Forster. My gut reaction was noooo – its a huge game and I’ve got to watch it live. And Forster, aaaaah it’s great music but he’s such a knob. In the end, the gig won out. A night out with old friends can’t be recorded and experienced later like the footy. And Forster was actually great fun.

I maintained radio silence and came into the house with no knowledge of the score; although I did sing Tigerland in the car on the way home. Optimism has become the new default. Turns out there was five minutes left and we were gone out of sight, it was our night. I have watched the replay and these are the highlights, celebrations and frustrations.

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It’s very wet which suits us. It’s Bachar’s 200th, and I don’t remember a player held in such universal respect by Richmond people for what he has brought to our club and the footy community.

@masonsixtencox gets a charity free immediately and does the right thing, shanking a behind. A note for the rest of the game: umpires guess ruck frees and so do commentators, because there are NO RETIRED RUCKS COMMENTATING. Why is this? I think Grundy has done a little bit of special comments; but tonight he’s out there grappling with Ivan II.

The inaccurate ones, Bruce and BT are competing from the go for the worst howler. “Short, missed out on that grand final last year”. Then Treloar goals, he has great hands in the wet. Dusty handpasses to stationary Ivan II who is unfazed and flicks it on – everyone in this group trusts everyone else, it’s amazing. Houli and Vlastuin exchange handpasses while galloping the wrong way, brimming with confidence that openings will appear around them if they hold their nerve.
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Bolton gets it out wide and will always think of shooting first. In isolation this annoys me a little, when he has mates lining up in better positions; but in the big picture it’s good to have at least one goal guts. Vlastuin has started magnificently; his slalom run out of the back pocket another display of poise. A good sequence comes to Dusty who is a way out but the pure authority of his finish for our first goal lifts the team and the fans. Sidebottom has probably never had a worse quarter – his boots are on the wrong feet. Ellis hears his footsteps and Sidey takes possession but sprays his shot horribly. Bruce: “Crisp, strong in the hips” – I reckon he reads a lot of WH Auden.

Lord David Astbury absolutely nails Mihocek, everyone gets up with laughs all round. The wet footy is intense and even, the game hasn’t settled into any pattern yet. Then, Lynch is lucky twice. Goals from a cheap free, then is allowed to spin around and around in a tackle before dishing to Shai; goal. We’re off. “Graham, with his heavy hips” Bruce, I will pay you to stop talking about hips.

The soccer kick is the order of the day. Cotch and Dusty go to hoof the same ball off the deck – Cotch pulls out of it and I think that is when he gets a hammie twinge. He’s off for the day, but seems extraordinarily chirpy about it. He’s also waiting for news of his third baby being born.

Unusual to see two gun players on the bench with big grins all round, a minute before quarter time. Especially when one is already done for the day.

Lynch is pretty slow in a straight line, but that’s not surprising. I hadn’t realised he has played every game this season – that is admirable coming off his serious injury and no pre-season. Sidey and Pendles are not firing and De Goey invisible, Stephenson and Moore missing. We should be flogging these guys.

More ruck free kicks. Grundy gets one and while Ivan looks to the ump for the mark, behind him Grundy just gallops away and kicks a point. Up the other end Ivan wins the ruck lottery, and goals from his free kick.
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Broad kicks to Short, who kicks to Houli, who unloads with a huge woooof up the left wing to Riewoldt who outmarks Howe, spins and kicks it out in front of Lynch. Tom gallops onto it and goals, sensational team footy. 5.4 to 1.2 and quarter time.

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In the 2nd Q we dominated every moment until one minute to half time, when we spoiled it by coughing up two quick ones.

Tiges win every one-on-one in the first 90 secs. De Goey misses and it goes down the other end for a stunning goal. Lambert kicked from the centre to Lynch on 50. Lynch turned and launched a kick to the vacant goals, but by the time the ball landed Lambert was there to toe it through. Insane running. Marbs sells a dummy, nonchalant. We are playing off Dimma’s short pitch, as Astbury is taking intercepting marks at the front of the square. George seems to be drifting into defence more, he’s everywhere applying pressure and linking up.

In defence a Pie marks, plays on but has no idea what to do, and drops it at Dusty’s feet. He holds the hapless Pie at bay while he side-foots the sherrin to Stack who goals, its 46 to 9. Collingwood are a rabble. Marbs executes an off-balance drop-kick. Lynch goals again after the ball goes straight through Crocker’s marking attempt. Soldo is matching Grundy.

Jack and Tom team up for Tom’s 4th. Lynch hacked it in Riewoldt’s direction, leaving him a lot to do. But Jack is up to it, and in return lays it on a platter for Tom who nails the shot on the run, 61 – 11. Then we take the foot off the throat and allow a couple of Pies goals for a half time score 61-24. I think Collingwood may have run up the white flag at half time otherwise, it’s been that one-sided.

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I’ll be brief with the 2nd half, which was a little disappointing really. We don’t goal for most of the 3rd Q, then Martin marks and kicks it round the corner. He has been BOG. Grimes hasn’t had a mention yet but he has been just flawless in his timing, decision-making and leadership. Bruce compares him to Ben Hart, then Sydney Stack to Andrew McLeod. “If Grimes and Stack end up as good as Hart and McLeod they’ll be happy with their careers…” uhh respect to Hart but Grimes is a better player already, thanks.

De Goey goals, then Jack Riewoldt thumps a big goal from 55 after a delicate pass from Jack Graham who has hit his namesake on the chest twice this quarter. At 3QT it’s 78-40.
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In the last quarter we are finessin’ in forward 50. We’ve got three tall targets, and Dan Rioli pinpoints Marbs who is a lovely set shot. The Collingwood president leaves as Crocker hits the post. It was a lovely touch from his Channel 7 rivals to linger on his furious red-faced antics. Final score 98 – 66.

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Benny Votes

Martin 5, Vlastuin 4, Grimes 3, Lynch 2, Graham 1

Leaderboard

Martin 36
Houli 33
Grimes 27
Vlastuin 25
Lynch 23
Edwards 22
Stack, Prestia  18
Lambert 12
Ellis 11
Cotchin, Bolton 7
Castagna 6
Nankervis 5
Baker, Broad 4
Chol 3
Astbury, Ross, Naish 2
Graham, Rioli, Balta 1

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2019: Caddy, Grigg, Houli, Lynch, Nankervis, Prestia, Townsend and Weller)
Houli 33
Lynch 23
Prestia 18
Nankervis 5
Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2019: Balta, Coleman-Jones, Collier-Dawkins, Miller, Naish, Ross, Turner, Stack)
Stack 18
Ross, Naish 2
Balta 1
Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot:for left footers
(Eligible 2019: Chol, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli)
Houli 33
Nankervis 5
Chol 3
Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
(Potentially eligible 2019: Aarts, Baker, Chol, Eggmolesse-Smith, Stack, Townsend, Weller)
Stack 18
Baker 4
Chol 3

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler in 2019

Prestia 90
Graham 76
Castagna 53
Vlastuin 52
Stack 51

Round 15 v St Kilda at the Bad Place

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Its Sunday, its cold and rainy, and am I sitting by the heater with the radio on. My plan was to work while I listen but I am finding it impossible due to pre-game anxiety. I am just going in circles. I am actually feeling confident of a solid win and of the team gelling well, but also in the long run it will be to no avail. I did the ladder predictor earlier and it told me we would finish 9th below Essendon on percentage. Our percentage is worse than Hawthorn’s and they are 15th.

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Its Sunday, its cold and rainy, and am I sitting by the heater with the radio on. My plan was to work while I listen but I am finding it impossible due to pre-game anxiety. I am just going in circles.

I am actually feeling confident of a solid win and of the team gelling well, but also in the long run it will be to no avail. I did the ladder predictor earlier and it told me we would finish 9th below Essendon on percentage. Our percentage is worse than Hawthorn’s and they are 15th.

I am delighted for Marbs that he’s been retained in the side. It will be good for Noah Balta to have a rest and – I am confident he’ll be a long term player at Richmond.

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Terrible start. Junk 50 entries from us. Saints have stolen our game plan. Pinging it around. Ross does a little Dan Rioli-style pat to keep the flow going and it ends in a Josh Bruce running goal. Then two more to Acres and Marshall. We are in deep awfully quickly.

Sydney Staaaaaaaack!!! 7 stars have come back into this side and the one who has to kick start us is a 19-year-old. A fantastic screamer – sounds good on the radio but I have now seen it on Twitter. He lines up Hunter Clark from 15 metres away to be his stepladder. What a wonderful addition to Richmond he is. It is so right that we are the only club that would take him, because we are the club that can use him best in my opinion.

Sydney’s mark by the amazing Kate Birrell, painted back home from a photograph

And the ball got down to him thanks to a wonderful strong mark from Mabior Chol on the wing. He’s playing well, has great awareness and seems ready for this level.

Marbs! Marks and goals after leading out to Dusty, with three minutes left. A confident start from the South Sudanese Sensation.

Vlastuin is running and spreading, has six marks for the quarter. We are back in it at the break 18 – 12.

Kate’s plein air painting done on the spot, under the dome. Her work here on her site is worth a good look.

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Stack goals again while am I making a sandwich, and Dion scores a behind to put us in front. And… breathe.

Then the Saints take control again, somehow getting their kicks in without much pressure from our midfield. Suddenly, from a point up we are 4 goals down in six minutes. I am feeling furious, disconnected and anxious sitting by the radio.

Goal to Bolton. Lynch brings it to ground in a pack and the little feller is front and centre and kicks straight.

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It’s all happening too fast. I want it to slow down. Now I am looking over Marcus’ shoulder at his phone for the rest of the quarter. Marbs again! What a lovely left foot set shot he is.

Then Sydney out on 50 just within the boundary steps inside and sinks the goal from 45. Dusty is being given ages by the umps to get rid of it. It’s not really fair but I am not petitioning the AFL about it. The new no-mo Stack has 3 goals.

We go in four points down with no goals yet from the Anglo-Saxon contingent. The scoring has swung in big storm surges and I am feeling a bit seasick. Lambert is making a terrific return, 16 touches so far.

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On ABC radio the half time chat with Brad Sewell and Parko is about Stack needing to build his tank to play midfield. Parko: “I hope he stays unfit so he keeps jumping on people’s heads like he does”.

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We restart and its with Lynch who misses, and cops a serve from the radio team. “You never see him DEMANDING the ball” – Sewell.

Finally after a long wait a really good team chain of possessions ends with Lynch in the square, and he roosts it towards the roof. Great goal. Back in front, and into seventh on the live ladder which we all shouldn’t care about in June.

10 minutes after half time Sewell says “McIntosh had Lynch SCREAMING at him for a pass out wide and McIntosh turned back into the channel”. Yeah Brad, you are turning out to be a bit of a dickhead.

Dusty must have sensed the pressure Tom is under, because he took a risk to square it to him for the first goal of the 2nd half, when could have kicked it himself in his sleep.

Dan Rioli goals easily after great work from Martin and Graham and a shimmy from Sheds. Then Caddy adds another. Sydney had the chance there to destroy his opposite nº44 Wilkie but simply dispossessed him. We have a 14-point lead, the ship is steadying as we have kicked the last six.
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At this point our old dog went berserk, because his best mate went past the back gate, and he NEEDED to get out there. So my idea of a walk with my head down listening to the rest of the game became instead a social walk with a dear (human) friend who has no interest in footy. But it was lovely to see the dogs play and my game-day anxiety just faded for the thirty minutes or so, until I excused myself to come back in and listen to the conclusion.

[Highlights I missed were: Ellis goal. Caddy delivery to Lynch. Amazing chain of possession with great evasive skills from Bolton and Castagna, George ends up slotting it from boundary on his left. Wonderful.]

When I get back the Sainters are starting to fray, and no-one nominates for the ruck, allowing Marbs to stroll in in and kick a very easy goal, his third.

We are easing in now to a comfortable win with some confidence-building goals to Chol and Lynch. Though having said that Marbs doesn’t seem lacking in confidence. And Sydney Stack – words fail me. He’s moved forward and kicked four. Could be anything. Could win the Brownlow, this year.

Since typing that I have looked at the official Brownlow vote predictor and S Stack is currently on zero votes.

In the Saints’ second half they kicked 3.10. If they had kicked straight they could have given us a serious fright. At times they looked a good match for us, and when they decided to play keepings-off we had no option but to occupy space and be patient.
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Benny Votes
Dusty (5) was in classic form and had both the Saints and the men in green in his thrall.

Stack (4) had an amazing 15-touch game. Kicked four goals, was also a creative engine and a defensive menace in the front half. A revelation as a permanent forward.

Chol (3) kicked 3 goals in his third game, and did it all – forward, back and ruck, with aplomb.

Prestia (2) had 29 touches and carried a load, with both Edwards and Cotchin having quiet returns.

Vlastuin (1) had 26 touches and 11 marks and was a dead end for many St Kilda thrusts forward.
Leaderboard

Houli 30
Martin 28
Edwards 22
Vlastuin 21
Grimes, Stack 18
Prestia 14
Lynch 13
Ellis 11
Bolton 6
Cotchin, Nankervis 5
Baker 4
Broad, Chol, Lambert 3
Ross, Naish 2
Rioli, Castagna, Balta 1

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2018: Caddy, Grigg, Houli, Lynch, Nankervis, Prestia, Townsend and Weller)
Houli 30
Prestia 14
Lynch 13
Nankervis 5
Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2019: Balta, Coleman-Jones, Collier-Dawkins, Miller, Naish, Ross, Turner, Stack)
Stack 18
Ross, Naish 2
Balta 1
Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot:for left footers
(Eligible 2019: Chol, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli)
Houli 30
Nankervis 5
Chol 3
Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
(Potentially eligible 2019: Aarts, Baker, Chol, Eggmolesse-Smith, Stack, Townsend, Weller)
Stack 14
Baker 4
Chol 3

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler in 2019

Prestia 69
Graham 50
Baker 45
Castagna 44
McIntosh 43

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Round 7 v Western Bulldogs at the Bad Place

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Saturday nights we have dinner with my Mum and Dad. Since the Tiges have become box office gold, this often means a clash with the only game of the round I intend to watch. They are nice people who raised me so I am pretty disciplined about time-shifting the game and just focussing on what they are saying about their fruit trees, their friends’ health challenges and what things were like in Launceston in 1946. Drays feature heavily..

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Saturday nights we have dinner with my Mum and Dad. Since the Tiges have become box office gold, this often means a clash with the only game of the round I intend to watch. They are nice people who raised me so I am pretty disciplined about time-shifting the game and just focussing on what they are saying about their fruit trees, their friends’ health challenges and what things were like in Launceston in 1946. Drays feature heavily.

All this is by way of saying I watched the 2nd half of our heavy loss to the Bulldogs live (without taking notes), and have now just gone back to the start. The hard drive has some sort of palsy and won’t let me get past the Billy Gowers reverse-head-butt on Grimes. But I’ll give you what I’ve got.

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Start was promising, lovely footwork from Ross stepping around big Z Cordy and centreing the ball for Lynch but it was intercepted by Kam McIntosh who goaled. But then Bontempelli [Italian for “little good times”?] began his masterclass which continued all night.

Mendadue crashed in hard to make a chance for McIntosh’s 2nd but he missed. Bolton hit a target by hand while being put in a spinning sleeper slam. Caleb Daniel having a clumsy game – gave the ball to Captain Sheds who hit up Caddy who notched our 2nd. Rioli was running into goal with only the pitter patter of little Caleb’s feet behind him and he shot from too far out, like an under 10. Next minute he was run over, coming up with sore leg and ribs. Dr Matthew Richardson suggested he’d picked up a “hip pointer”.

Dogs murdering their shots at goal. Stacky sold the dummy then gave to Baker who put it over the goal umpire’s hat. Baker has the now-standard Bulldogs munter hairdo. Bolton delivered a perfect pass to Balta 15m out but he dropped it under light pressure.
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Bont loped about doing as he pleased and found dear old Sam Lloyd who at last kicked straight. They’re the most inaccurate team in the league and that’s the only reason we went in 3 points up at quarter time, 3.2 to 2.5. Vlossy turned his ankle just before the siren and it looked like we might have lost another couple of senior Tigers.

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After the restart Naughton was doing what he liked, playing on Broad, with Grimes on Gowers. I’d have swapped but then I’ve only coached u/12 school soccer. Darcy loved Naughton “marking it at it’s highest point”, the sign of a real doofus. Nank was exuding power and menace, the man just loves to tackle other humans. Dogs flicked the switch to ACCURATE and like that we were in trouble. Their mids were delivering it silkily under little pressure. The first 20 minutes were all Dogs and it rained goals at the Alan ‘Banana Legs’ Hopkins End.

Balta was getting a bath in defence but he’s hopefully learning heaps. Vlossy was never 100% after QT – he sold Stacky into terrible trouble from a kick-in but the young man has a touch of the Wanganeen rubberlegs and he eluded capture; then shortly after took a remarkable pack mark amongst taller timber. His composure is wonderful. He and Bolton both seem untackle-able.
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The last ten minutes of the term were all Tiges but our shape was all wrong. Our first shot of the term came from Nank. Broad was bobbing up on the edge of 50, he’s never scored a goal in his life. Terrific fellas but something’s amiss when the ball is repeatedly in their hands up the ground, not with say Sheds or Caddy or George. Finally just before half time Stacky delivered to Bachar who got a lucky free for beard-contact, and slotted a desperately needed goal.

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After half time I raised the roof at home when Balta galloped around the boundary to kick a wonderful solo goal. Nank continued to tackle like a 2-metre-tall Maurice Rioli. Dusty was having an influence inside. But the Dogs just looked too tall for us. Dylan Grimes had an off game, which is like saying the last pylon standing had a bad day when London Bridge fell down. Was someone blocking for Naughton so no-one could get a run to spoil? It felt like it. He had a day out.

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As we lost so badly, I think readers will forgive me skipping the last quarter; I thought I’d be able to rewatch but let us just draw a veil over it.

If we’d been playing a front-runner I would be happy to call this a natural tipping point; you can only cover x missing stars and now we have solved for x. There were the early injuries to Rioli and Vlossy, who played on but didn’t look nimble [Ed Richards ran around Vlossy towards the end of the night like he was set in concrete]. BUT – this was the Dogs, who are possibles for the lower end of the 8 at best (from where they can win the flag of course). I think there’s no excuses . Although I’m not bothered by the final margin we should never have let ourselves get that far back.

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The Benny Votes

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5  Stack – never looked flustered, never put a teammate under pressure.

4 Vlastuin – had his hands full and kept trying to play our way

3 Nankervis – up against a giraffe in English he played smart and his tackling was good

2 Baker – is getting more of it every week. A reliable kick for goal and good in traffic.

1 Bolton – also got his hands on it more than he has, his field kicking is sublime

Not too bad: McIntosh, Prestia, Lambert, Martin, Balta

Leaderboard

Edwards 19
Vlastuin 14
Grimes, Lynch 12
Stack 11
Martin 6
Nankervis 5
Ellis, Prestia 4
Cotchin, Broad, Lambert, Houli 3
Ross, Baker 2
Rioli, Bolton 1

Blair Hartley Appreciation Award: for players who have joined Richmond from another club
(Eligible 2018: Caddy, Grigg, Houli, Lynch, Nankervis, Prestia, Townsend and Weller)
Lynch 12
Nankervis 5
Prestia 4
Houli 3
Anthony Banik Best First Year Player: for anyone who was yet to debut before round 1
(Eligible 2019: Balta, Coleman-Jones, Collier-Dawkins, Miller, Naish, Ross, Turner, Stack)
Stack 11
Ross 2
Joel Bowden’s Golden Left Boot:for left footers
(Eligible 2019: Chol, Grigg, Nankervis and Houli)
Nankervis 5
Houli 3
Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
upgraded from the rookie list during the current season
(Potentially eligible 2019: Aarts, Baker, Chol, Eggmolesse-Smith, Stack, Townsend, Weller)
Stack 11
Baker 2

Maurice Rioli Grip of Death Trophy:
For the Tiges top tackler in 2019

Prestia 36
Nankervis 26,
McIntosh, Lambert 24,
Castagna 23
Graham 21