Richmond’s soul-crushing defeats have created a new word: RichmondyAl Paton and Chris Cavanagh,
Herald Sun
May 18, 2017 2:49pmRICHMOND’S ability to raise the hopes of long-suffering fans then crush them in brutal and creative style has added a new word to the footy lexicon.
The term “Richmondy” has been gaining traction on social media and took off after the Tigers came from behind to pinch the lead against Fremantle last Sunday only to lose the seemingly unlosable when David Mundy kicked a goal after the siren.
It seemed like a loss only Richmond could manufacture.
“If you wanted to explain to somebody what being Richmondy was, you just have to watch this game,” comedian Wil Anderson, who coined the term, said on his 2 Guys 1 Cup footy podcast.
“Richmondy isn’t one of those things you can necessarily define, it’s like that definition of pornography: ‘you know it when you see it’. And this was a great example of how Richmondyness can just sneak up on you.”
Nek minnit ...
While every team experiences heartbreaking losses, the tortured journey from hope to despair of the army of Tiger fans give the club’s defeats a unique character.
The losses are crushing but the fans stay true, with hope rising again just as quickly: “The lid comes off straight away, and I love that about them,” says Anderson.
The defeats seem laced with extra daggers for fans who bleed black and yellow.
On Sunday Fremantle did not kick a goal from the 19-minute mark of the third quarter to the final siren. They had been smashed in clearances in the final term, but won the only one that really mattered. Even Ross Lyon left the box early thinking the game was lost and when he heard a roar from inside the MCG lift assumed Richmond had kicked another goal.
“Mundy’s had a kick after the siren three times — he kicked it both times against Richmond and missed against Geelong. That just feels so Richmondy to me,” says Anderson.
And it’s much more than one game.
Richmond’s lack of success over the past four decades has been well documented, but the current group of players has brought renewed hope — and Richmondyness.
Anderson’s podcast co-host Charlie Clausen pointed out the Tigers have given up a lead with the final score of the game 11 times in the past decade, more than any other side.
Here’s our list of the most Richmondy games in recent times.
Round 18, 2012 — Richmond 13.13 (91) lost to Carlton 14.11 (95)A Trent Cotchin goal puts Richmond 13 points ahead with 8:32 to run in the last quarter before Carlton responded with two goals to make it a two-point ball game. Steven Morris wins the ball deep in defence but kicks it out on the full 70m from Carlton’s goal with 54 seconds to play. Brock McLean marks the free kick, plays on and kicks long 55m from goal. The ball clears the pack and bounces through with 42 seconds to go and the Blues hold on.
Richmondyness rating: 9
Round 16, 2012 — Richmond 13.10 (88) lost to Gold Coast 13.12 (90)The ultimate “Richmondy” game. Playing a home game in Cairns, the Tigers hold a 16-point at the 22-minute-mark of the final term and are still 10 points ahead when Addam Maric receives a free kick with 63 seconds left. A turnover and a dropped mark lead to a Jarrod Harbrow goal with 25 seconds to go to reduce the margin to four points. Then rugby convert Karmichael Hunt goals after the siren to give the Suns their first win of the season.
Richmondyness rating: 10
Round 5, 2013 — Richmond 12.8 (80) lost to Fremantle 12.9 (81)A Matt White goal gives Richmond a five-point lead with 1:59 to run. But the Tigers hold the lead for just 35 seconds — at a boundary throw-in in Fremantle’s forward pocket Hayden Ballantyne is left unattended behind the contest and swoops to kick the matchwinner.
Richmondyness rating: 7
Round 3, 2014 — Richmond 15.8 (98) lost to Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100)Richmond starts terribly, trailing the Dogs by 37 points at halftime, then storms home and a Jack Riewoldt goal with 3:22 to go puts them in front. But the Bulldogs have the last laugh as Daniel Giansiracusa draws a holding the man free kick against Brandon Ellis and converts with 1:59 remaining — the final score of the game.
Richmondyness rating: 8
Round 17, 2015 — Richmond 10.18 (78) lost to Fremantle 10.22 (82)With Richmond leading by two points, Bachar Houli sends a behind kick-in with 82 seconds left long down the middle where it is marked by Docker Garrick Ibbotson. He passes to David Mundy 45m out straight in front. Mundy kicks the goal and the Dockers hold on for 31 seconds to claim victory.
Richmondyness rating: 9
Round 2, 2016 — Richmond 12.14 (86) lost to Collingwood 13.9 (87)Richmond leads by 11 points and has possession of the ball with 2:16 remaining. Alex Rance gives away a free kick for holding Alex Fasolo, who kicks his sixth goal with 1:46 to go. As the clock ticks down Nick Vlastuin inexplicably handballs the ball over the boundary line, giving the Pies another free kick 60m from goal. Darcy Moore kicks to the top of the square and the ball falls into the hands of ruckman Brodie Grundy, who kicks the matchwinner from 15m with four seconds remaining.
Richmondyness rating: 10
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmonds-soulcrushing-defeats-have-created-a-new-word-richmondy/news-story/dc9a59acec71160a9084a3a422c68140
