Round 5 v Sydney at Docklands

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Sheddda leads and Dusty’s back
We only got to see half of this match and it wasn’t the best half. We had been in Wodonga for Good Friday and had travelled home on Saturday. And we were late home and left for the game not long before the first bounce. The tram was late and slow and it was half-time by the time we got there and found our way in.

But the news to that point was good. Richmond had the better of the Swans in the first quarter and then towelled them up in the second and now led 9.5.59 to 4.2.26. I know that Swans haven’t started the season well but they’re always good, even when they’re not. That is, even in their slumps, a good team lurks waiting to pounce.

We found reasonable seats on the top level near the Swans end of the ground. A good crowd was in and on this balmy autumn night the roof was shut, so it was hot and stuffy. The closed roof at Docklands is a metaphor for the closed mind of the AFL. We have a roof, it must be closed. If we didn’t’ close the roof, how would people know that we could close it if we wanted to?

In finding our seats we had missed most of the half-time horror, the worst of which is Are You Paying Attention? This is a charming segment where people in the crowd are exposed for the sin of not watching the scoreboard and therefore seeing themselves on camera. It’s hilarious. I mean some people go to the footy and don’t watch the big screen at half-time. What on earth can they be doing? Talking to their friends? Sending their mother a text message? Sitting there quietly enjoying themselves? All of these things are crimes, or should be, and are rightfully exposed. “Ownlife” is what this crime was called in Nineteen Eighty Four.

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Then the game restarted and the Swans made a game of it for a while. But the Tigers steadied and increased their lead. Dusty scored a brilliant crumbing goal, coming from nowhere. Lynch had gone for the mark, the ball spilled to ground and Dusty swooped. It’s good to see him kicking goals and smiling again. Another highlight was when Shai Bolton went on a bit of run from the pocket, evaded a tackle or two and then missed with a banana. But it was good to see him have a crack at it.

Another thing I really liked was Edwards talking to the defenders after each of the Swans’ goals. I don’t know if Cotch does this, but it moved me. What a good leader he is.

At the last break Richmond led 11.9.75 to 6.3.39.

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And at the last break there was Cuddle Cam, another abomination. Then the game got going again and Richmond kicked to our end but were outscored two goals to four for the term. I didn’t like the way the Swans were able to move the ball out of defence. Apparently this had been impossible in the first half. There were nervous moments when it looked like the Swans might come back but Richmond would not be rattled. Late in the quarter Castagna marked at about the spot were Dragicevic marked against Adelaide in a close game about 19 years ago. Dragga had missed and we lost. But Castagna went slotted it and we were home and much relieved.

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We sang the song and then Dusty was interviewed and said he’d prepare for Wednesday night’s game by having “a few beers.” Then he said they’d be having “chocky eggs” on Sunday and getting back into it. We left then, before the second rendition of the song. We were exhausted by our travels and by the Docklands experience. We got lost leaving the ground but eventually found the new bit of Collins Street and our tram came straight away. The next day was Sunday and we still had Monday off. We didn’t have to move house or travel anywhere and Richmond had won, again, with so many players out. But after that great win against Port we hardly consider this. We don’t have players missing so much as we just have different players in the team.
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I don’t want to whinge too much about Docklands, but the place stinks. And the way the RFC presents the “match-day experience” will soon lead to zero atmosphere at our games. Even at a game against an interstate team I was struck by how quiet our supporters were. What’s the point of having the most passionate and numerous supporters if you don’t let them make their own noise?

The papers gave Edwards best on ground and I won’t argue with that. Also Martin, Stack, Prestia, Vlaustin [who have got votes] and Caddy [unlucky Josh]. Having missed the first half it was difficult to tell. But our defence stood up well again. Franklin was allowed to kick four goals but nobody else was off the leash.

Now Melbourne, tonight. I actually expect us to win and this is still an odd feeling for a Richmond supporter.

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Benny Votes 

5 Edwards, 4 Martin, 3 Stack, 2 Prestia, 1 Vlastuin

Leaderboard

Edwards 19
Grimes, Lynch 12
Martin, Stack 6
Vlastuin 5
Cotchin, Broad 3
Lambert, Ross, Nankervis, Prestia 2
Rioli 1