Stuff about football & community & belonging
I don’t recall us beating Carey-era Roos much. That arrogant bastard tore us apart so often. He is mercifully impotent here, as we cement our spot in the 2001 finals. We beat Essendon in Round 22 (in front of 77,000), only to lose to them in the Qualifying Final the next week (in front of 78,000).
In this match Richo drags in about 18 marks. He fends off Jess Sinclair squarely in the face to mark and kick the sealer, which is unnoticed by umpire and commentators alike. Different times.
The charity we get from the umps here is beyond belief. The current CEO goes arse-over-teakettle at about 0:20 and gets a free for it. Stuey Edwards arrives 6th or 7th and is awarded the mark. Knights gets a free on defensive 50 for having the tidiest hair. Etcetera. Speaking of the white larvae, the centre bounces are the worst you’ll ever see.
My highlight is Michael Gale’s gather at 5:20, going at top pace. I had not remembered him having such great balance and skill, but that is a moment of pure class that ultimately brings another goal.
The Tasmanians are prominent here; Chrissy Bond, the Gales and Richo. And I notice from the ad that pops up for Trust Bank that this was taped by someone here in the island state.
By Chris 2 Comments
I hadn’t heard the name John Ronaldson until Tom Hafey passed away this week, and the talk turned to the young men who he had taken along with him to four flags. He kept a bond with them throughout their lives. I don’t know anything about John beyond this clip and his bare stats – he played in 2 premierships and I suppose that was commonplace enough around Richmond in those days. If the historians among us can tell me anything else, particularly his nickname (for the Duffle Coat) I’d be much obliged.