The groans of Melbourne supporters through the second half were tortured but familiar. They were surpassed only by the moans of Tiger fans.
The Richmond brethren know nothing of self-preservation. You could have some sympathy for the club as it’s hard to say whether the annual case of Elevated Expectation Syndrome was of its making or cast on its behalf. Either way, by the time they took to the MCG the hype was palpable.
Richmond lost for the purest reason possible. It isn’t good enough to beat a top four aspirant like Carlton. The Blues debunked the preseason form and, once they’d soaked the early enthusiasm of their rivals, the class differential was inescapable.
Instead of celebrating the gains – Ivan Maric looks a sustainable answer in the ruck and Trent Cotchin is ready to become the team’s best player – Tiger fans had the air drained from them by a defeat they could have factored in.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-02/gerard-whateley-april-2/3927286/?site=melbourne