AFL Round 5 – Fremantle v Richmond: Angry

Ira furor brevis est.

Or so they say.  I went to bed angry.  But I’ve woken from such fitful sleep as I’ve had still angry.  Not such a brief madness after all.

I’m angry thinking about poor Matty White.  For half a dozen seasons, he’s been a fringe player at Richmond, legs moving at twice the speed of brain in critical moments.  The chance to be a match-winning hero beckons at last and Matty takes it with poise and gusto.

Only to be denied glory by the serial pest Ballantyne.

I’m angry that Ballantyne is so bloody good.  He makes Stephen Milne look like a sedate, mild-mannered gentleman.

I’m angry that at least twice during the game Ballantyne tunnelled Richmond opponents.

I’m even angrier that from resulting free kicks we didn’t make the little germ pay.

I’m angry that after it looked like Cotchin might have accidentally killed Ballantyne in a desperate collision of bodies,  like a cockroach after the nuclear holocaust, Ballantyne survived, dusted himself off and won the game for Freo.

I’m angry that I have such feelings of sadistic malice towards Ballantyne.  It’s only a game after all.

I’m angry that Cotchin gets penalised for putting his body on the line.  This new sliding rule is really getting out of hand.

I’m angry that Cotchin almost suffers a season-ending knee injury as one of their players falls across his leg.  No free kick there – and only his lightning quick reflexes allow Cotch to escape with a “tweak”.

I’m angry that in a game of inches, Cotch is clearly sore and unable to exert his usual influence in the critical second half.

I’m angry that despite being on one leg, he’s still our best player.

I’m angry that Creepy Crowley does another blanket job on Deleldio and that neither “Lids” nor anyone else seems willing to do anything about it.

I’m angry that Riewoldt is content to spend the night backchatting, rather than actually participating in the game, on a night when one decent pack mark and goal would have made the difference.

I’m angry that I agree with Mark McClure paying out on Riewoldt.

I’m angry that McClure can again indulge in his favourite sport – throwing barbs at Richmond – legitimately.

I’m angry that this sanctimonious yesterday’s hero never had to play in a side that was rebuilding from scratch.

I’m angry that he correctly points out that leadership on the night was shown by young blokes like Ellis and Vlastuin rather than by our leaders.

I’m angry that I feel positive about what this signals for the future.  At some clubs, these sorts of efforts by youngsters are rewarded in the moment with pivotal wins that forge self-belief for years ahead.

I’m angry that I so want to admire the courage and gut-busting efforts of Jackson and Rance, but their shocking turnovers continue to prevent me from doing it.

I’m angry that the goal review system and “the goal that wasn’t” is going to dominate post-match discussions.  As though somehow, we can take refuge in the cosy illusion of a victory stolen through umpiring error.

I’m angry that no-one does the logic of this.  Had the goal been scored, we’re four points ahead and the ball goes back to the middle with about four minutes to play.

I’m angry that there is an assumption that had a goal been paid, this would have resulted in a Richmond win.  What is actually revelaed is that we can’t defend a five point lead with two minutes to play.  Indeed we lose the centre clearance so quickly and comprehensively and defend the goal area so abysmally that the two minutes may as well have been two hours.

That said, I’m angry that in such a professional sport, the review system is so flawed and amateurish.

I’m also angry that earlier in the night a clear pass to a Freo player went out on the full within Richmond’s scoring range and the boundary umpire right in front of it failed to call it.  No review system there!

I’m angry that we’ll overlook earlier incidents like Jackson’s turnover just before three-quarter time that gifted Freo a scoring chance.  Walters’ shot was a shocker but he scored a point.

I’m angry that this pontificating about umpiring decisions will mean that we conveniently overlook the fact that Freo should have won this game by several goals.

I’m angry that the Ross Lyon game plan continues to achieve good results from average playing groups.

I’m angry that it will be months before my theory is tested that the Ross Lyon game plan won’t ever achieve the ultimate success.

I’m angry that we’ll also overlook the fact that Richmond valiantly dragged themselves back into a contest that looked gone.

I’m angry that we’ll get no kudos from this game whereas two weeks ago, Essendon fortuitously beat Freo in similar circumstances and were praised as though there was no tomorrow.

I’m angry that instead of marking this game down as evidence of our continued improvement but still needing composure at critical stages, Richmond supporters will unleash their angst and the baying for blood…or something…anything….will begin again.

I’m angry that I might have started it.

FREMANTLE        2.0    7.5   10.8    12.9 (81)
RICHMOND          5.2    7.3    9.5      12.8 (80)

GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 4, Mayne 3, Walters 2, Crowley, Hill, Suban
Richmond: Knights 3, Vickery 3, McGuane 2, Riewoldt, Grigg, Martin, White

BEST
Fremantle: Barlow, Griffin, McPharlin, Pearce, Fyfe, Hill, Walters, Ballantyne, Crowley
Richmond: Knights, Edwards, Martin, Ellis, Cotchin, Vickery, White

My votes:

Barlow (3), Griffin (2), McPharlin (1)