Cheer squad truths: Tiger fan who wears 22 jumpers on gamedayIf you thought you were a die-hard supporter of your club, read this and think again. This Richmond superfan takes it to a new level. See the stories behind your clubs most passionate fans.Bruce Korun is keeping an eye out to see when Maurice Rioli enters the game.
Rioli is the Tigers’ substitute and Korun has his No. 10 guernsey in his bag.
The jumpers of 21 members of Richmond’s starting 22 are on Korun himself.
“I left (Ben) Miller home – I forgot him,” Korun says.
“I’m a bit upset about that.”
Korun started donning four guernseys at games in 2007, taking one off each quarter.
Since 2017, he has been wearing the jumper of every selected player, removing one every time the Tigers kick a goal.
“He’d come looking like the Michelin man,” cheer squad treasurer Mandy Woodward says.
“When we kick a goal in Melbourne, people will say ‘Bruce, take it off, take it off’.”
The guernseys are not worn in any particular order.
“People up in the grandstand all have bets who’s going to come off next,” says Korun, who estimates he owns 100 jumpers.
Richmond is trailing by 21 points at half-time and Korun has removed three guernseys.
He remains very optimistic.
Seeing a swag of premierships will do that.
Korun has been barracking for the Tigers since the age of 11, having fallen in love with the colours and emblem.
The 1982 flag was the first he saw live but 2017 the most special.
Korun thinks Richmond will claim this year’s premiership, despite its poor form.
After some goals, he gets up and turns to the crowd to yell “To September again”.
“Bruce, no more September, we’re not going to get there this year,” Woodward says.
When Marlion Pickett kicks truly on the run, Korun stands again and off comes Hugo Ralphsmith’s guernsey, revealing Jacob Hopper’s underneath.
Korun hardly sits in his seat, but soon is scrambling under it.
Rioli has replaced premiership captain Trent Cotchin, so Korun reaches opens his bag and grabs the second generation Tiger’s guernsey to put it on.
Later in the term, a Liam Baker major brings the Tigers to within two goals – and prompts an excited Korun to remove two jumpers at once.
Doing so appears to be bad luck.
Tom Papley answers for Sydney 90 seconds later.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-gather-round-2023-a-look-at-every-game-through-the-eyes-of-club-cheer-squads/news-story/130f6900378c23805d8bb9f08e8d2636
