The wise cannot ignore ritual humiliation

[tiger101]

It's that time of year again for hapless Richmond supporters.

WISE punters typically keep their hands in their pockets at the start of a new football season. However, since the AFL introduced the ritualistic 10-goal humiliation of Richmond to open the year, it seems unwise to ignore a not-so-ancient custom.

Of course, this year is slightly different, for smarty-pants coach Damien Hardwick has already told us his Tigers' souls were destroyed in a practice match.


On making such a declaration, Hardwick became the first coach in AFL/VFL history to announce a season over before it began; and yes, the party-pooper has taken the fun away for the rest of us who were hoping to watch Richmond's hopes, dreams and souls incinerated roughly 60 minutes into the new year.

The only sour flavour to this season-opening rout is the beneficiary and if you decide to put your hard-earned on the Blues, it undoubtedly means at some point of the evening you will hope they win - which in itself can be soul-destroying, or at least soul-sullying.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-wise-cannot-ignore-ritual-humiliation-20110323-1c6oe.html?rand=1300886791576

Cameron Noakes is an embarrassment. I know we are outsiders to win this game but I can't wait to the tables turn on all these journalists to eat humble pie.

[tiger4life]

I just made a thread about this on another footy forum and this is what I had to say about it.

Am I the only one thinking that this article is wrong on so many levels?

Takes things way out of context of what Dimma said after the loss to Adelaide
and then basically says Carlton are a bunch of cheaters who can't win a flag without cheating.

Now I know many will agree that Carlton had cheated the cap but seriously that is a heavy swipe at the club.

I hate Carlton just as much as the next person and yes Carlton have been caught over the cap before but I just find it really rude in the way it came across in the article.

Carlton were never caught over the cap in their premiership years so I find it really strange that they would allow such an article with so many false claims to be published.

Also apparently it's a betting article, but I fail to see what relevance it has to actually betting, it has like 2-3 sentences about betting and then thats it, it's basically just one massive swipe at both clubs.

Truly an embarrassment of an article and the so called 'journo' should never be allowed to publish anything ever again.

[one-eyed]

It seems other 'journos' are joining in.....

CARLTON v Richmond

It doesn't matter what year it is with this opening game, it's always the same. A big crowd turns up, the Tigers are not good enough and 10 minutes into the second term fans turn their attention to the second game of the season. Richmond is improving - maybe it will take until the 20-minute mark this year.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/new-season-dawns-and-few-surprises-20110323-1c6po.html

[Hellenic Tiger]

Obviously these journos imaginations are running wild due to their lack of any sex life whatsoever.

Ignore the article and not the author and then like Mr Burns dangle the sword of Damacles hang it over their heads and stick it in when the time is right.

[dizza]

what a complete tool this guy is.

[Danog]

It seems other 'journos' are joining in.....

CARLTON v Richmond

It doesn't matter what year it is with this opening game, it's always the same. A big crowd turns up, the Tigers are not good enough and 10 minutes into the second term fans turn their attention to the second game of the season. Richmond is improving - maybe it will take until the 20-minute mark this year.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/new-season-dawns-and-few-surprises-20110323-1c6po.html

2 out of 3 years is "always" apparently.

[one-eyed]

A letter to ...
By Paul Daffey
Thu 24 Mar, 2011

Dear Richmond,

In 2004 you thrashed Collingwood in the opening round. Nathan Brown was on fire in his debut for the club, Richo galloped around like a colt, Tiger fans went a bit stupid. The season looked bright for the yellow and black.

Unfortunately, you went on to win the wooden spoon. Danny Frawley lost his job as coach. Richmond fans groaned about the onset of another five-year plan.

The opening round is not always an indication of a team's fortunes during the subsequent season. But it’s fair to say it can set the tone. If you need proof, look no further than the opening rounds of the past two seasons, both against Carlton.

The 2009 match was built up around the fact that Ben Cousins and Chris Judd were to play each other. Experts tipped the Tigers to challenge for the eight. A huge crowd saw Cousins get the first game's disposal, a slick handball to a running teammate.

Within a minute, Richo had taken a mark 40 metres out on a slight angle. He missed. It wasn't supposed to be that way for Tiger fans, not this time. There was a mixture of anger and resignation around the stadium.

You went on to make a series of mistakes that let Carlton in for goals. The game was as good as over in the first quarter. Mitch Robinson, for goodness sake, kicked three goals in his debut. Cousins did his hamstring in the third quarter.

At the final siren, your season was gone. Coach Terry Wallace was gone. A long season lay ahead.

At least in 2010 there was no build-up. Little was expected of you, which was just as well. Matt Kreuzer had a personal party. Once more the game was over in the first quarter. You just didn’t look up to AFL standard.

The signs coming into this year's opening game are mixed. Brett Ratten is under pressure but he seems to be handling it well. Damien Hardwick is normally an unflappable character, but recently he lost his cool.

It was after the practice match against Adelaide. He berated you for not having a go, for playing like ninnies. Dare we say it, he was afraid of another calamity in the opening round.

The challenge for you, the Tigers, is to make a game of this year's opener. If you lose, do with dignity. If you win, then all the better.

Just give Tigers fans hope that they face more than yet another long season.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/109872/default.aspx

[Tigeritis™©®]

Why isn't anyone talking about 2008???

[smasha]

Believing what the media say.

LMAO.

Who cares?

They are below us.

They aren't Richmond supporters.

Just listen to  FZ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jonzFUPBelc

THE MEDIA are a faceless spineless bunch of EFFWITS that live in the arses of rats.

They will soon come licking our bottoms when we start winning.

[mightytiges]

The media are just waiting to write that we don't deserve the season opener 

[mightytiges]

At least on a positive note we've shut up all those idiots in the media who said we don't deserve the season opener. I turned on Finey when I got home and he was saying if the rest of season is anything like last night then bring it on.