Last night’s game was a classic Richmond loss. We played well early, probably had the better of the first quarter but were too inefficient up forward and so went in a quarter-time trailing. We then slipped further behind in the second quarter, although not quite enough to be out of the game. After half-time we rallied to be only a goal away at 3 quarter time. Just to give all the supporters hope, we battled on to gain a 1 point lead early in the last, only to get run over and lose by 10 points. We played well, but just not well enough.

Now normally, a loss like that would have been devastating. Just when you believed we might have the game in our grasp it slips away again. Normally I’d have gone home angry. But for one thing. Expectation.

I only went to the game last night because dad had free tickets. I probably would have watched most of the game at home, but not neccesarily. We went last night expecting to get thrashed. You could see it in the eye of almost every Richmond supporter in Telstra Dome as they walked into the stadium. We looked like the lawyer who is putting in their last-ditch appeal before their client is executed. It felt inevitable. We weren’t going because we wanted to see Richmond win. We were going because we wanted the players to know that the club has supporters worth playing for.

And then gradually, as the game wore on, it began to dawn on us. The boys were really playing. Patrick Bowden, who had been a rare light in the darkness of last week, was on fire early. Daniel Jackson, a young kid who had shown some spark last year and was back in the team this week, popped up in the forward line and kicked a couple. There was some good signs. Joel Bowden got a lot of the ball, even if his decision making left a lot to be desired. Will Thursfield, who was only playing his third or so game, took Nick Riewoldt out of the game, before he got injured and was stretchered off the ground.

It was the first time in a long time that I can remember being beaten and still going home happy.

St Kilda 13.10 (88)

def

Richmond 11.11 (77)

Best: St. Kilda – Hayes, Hamill, Montagna, Hudghton. Richmond – P.Bowden, Deledio, Jackson, Thursfield

In life there are often circumstances where you witness a person doing something that they know will end badly, and that has never done them any long-term good. And it can be so frustrating when these people go into that same situation, having been hurt in the past, when they expect different results. I am, unfortunately, one of those people.

My affliction is not a drug addiction, nor a tendency to put myself in abusive relationships (although it could almost be an abusive relationship of sorts). No, my affliction is far more foolish than that, I am, dear friends, a Richmond supporter.

Now there was a time, so the legend goes, when there was no shame in being a believer in the yellow and black. 1980, 1974, 1973, these are years that bring a tear to the eye of the faithful at their mere mention, they were the years of our last premierships. The days when the names like Kevin Bartlett, Royce Hart, Bourke, Barrot and Clay were not mere legends, but actual players. Those magical days….

Times have been tough. I was born in 1984. Since that time, the Tigers have made the finals only twice, and have not made a Grand Final. There have been very few occasions when I have gone into a weekend able to believe that we are a certainty to win. It’s been on those occasions when I’ve been proven wrong. Richmond have an uncanny ability to make you believe that things will be different this year, that we really can win games. That we will make the finals. That this year might just be the year. But every year, they hurt you. Every year you scream for them to be good.

This year I should be thankful. The bitter disappointment has kicked in early this year. I didn’t get a chance to really believe, which was good of them. 115 points is a lot to score in a football game. It is even more to get beaten by. The Western Bulldogs, our conquerors, didn’t make the finals last year (although most pundits believe they will give the premiership a decent go). I sat through all of it. I screamed. I yelled. When we kicked the first goal, I almost believed. Just for a moment. I always do, that’s all it takes….

Western Bulldogs 25.17.(167)

def.

Richmond 7.10.(52)