Let's get this straight from the start, I don't take kindly to people making jokes about my club finishing 9th, only a fellow Richmond supporter is entitled to do that. So the secret is out, I'm a Richmond supporter. Whilst I have a sense of humor, or so I believe, our lack of success for the last 34 years is driving me to distraction and destruction.
Richmond players after their loss to Port Adelaide in the 2014 Elimination Final
I've loved the club before I was born, as the first born son to a Richmond fanatic and being a child of the 70's I had little choice. In fact one of my first jumpers was a Richmond jumper with the number 10 stitched on the itchy woolen back of the jumper. My dad has repeatedly advised me that the number 10, which was Kevin Sheedy's at the time, was on my jumper to annoy my grandma who though he was a disgusting, vile and dirty Richmond player. That was something that Richmond use to pride themselves on, being loved by their fans and hated by the rest of the competition. Now we are many people's punchlines or even more insulting, their '2nd' team! '2nd' team means that we don't beat teams often enough, or win anything of significance that would annoy opposition supporters.
Even more insulting is when Richmond supporters are told that we are 'on the bandwagon' and 'coming out of the woodwork' when there is a hint of success. For goodness sake we've not won a Grand Final since 1980 and not played off in a Grand Final since our galling loss to Carlton in 1982. Damn you Helen D'Amico and your interfering streak!In fact in a competition that espouses equality with a salary cap and a national draft that rewards mediocrity and insipidness we have only made the finals series four times in the last 32 years! Even then in 2013 and again in 2014 we were knocked out in the elimination final. Even with all the pain we've endured as supporters our membership base has grown to be one of the biggest in the country with very little success as momentum.
To put this is context Fitzroy before there merger in 1996 appeared in the finals 4 times, Melbourne 6 times and St. Kilda 12 times including Grand Final appearances for both Melbourne and St. Kilda. We have made the finals a measly four times, not Grand Finals, finals.
Richmond ladder finishes and membership numbers since 2010
I won't lie to you, I've thrown my jumper out the window of a Frankston bound train, I've cheered ridiculously when we've kicked a goal after being 100 points down and I've helped create more false dawns than you could ever believe. My level of fanaticism and frustration mirrors many Richmond supporting friends and relatives that you may know!
Whilst I love/hate my club I also believe my club love/hates me. A relationship made in counselling heaven. So before you accuse me of being on the bandwagon or laugh at my team finishing 9th be aware, I've got 34 years of angst behind me!
Go TIGES!
