Round 1 – Richmond v Carlton: “Is there anybody there?” said the traveller.
What just happened?
Only a few short days ago, I flicked my desk caddy over from February to March and my heart missed a beat. “Not long to go now,” I thought, with growing excitement, “Soon, we will be sitting in the MCC Members Stand, supporting the reigning Premiers again. I can hardly wait.”
What just happened?
The big day has arrived and here we are, sitting in our lounge rooms instead of in our allotted seats, trying to muster up some atmosphere. Social media sites are open on my IPad, banter and “likes” abound. Our phones buzz with comments from friends and family on hastily convened “WhatsApp” groups.
Some are even here to watch the season opener with us. In keeping with the latest advice, we are all sitting at least 1.5 metres apart. A nice bottle of red is open. We’ve shared a pleasant dinner. Hand sanitiser is on the table. Pantries everywhere bulge with stockpiled food and toilet paper.
As we watch the players run out onto a deserted MCG on our TV screen, they are flanked by Kate Birrell’s paintings of Dusty and Marlion on the wall, sentimental reminders of two exhilarating Grand Finals. What could Marlion be thinking tonight? His first two senior games have certainly become talking points.
A text message suggests we should all go down to Yarra Park right now and tunnel our way to Gate 5, the author urging everyone to bring a shovel. Many hands make light work. It’s tempting!
The Tigers are all business and shift quickly into their now familiar patterns. They open the scoring courtesy of a fortunate 50 metre penalty but the next six goals of the first quarter are text book Richmond. Lose the stoppage. Pressure the kicker with manic attack on the ball. Win the turnover and run forward. Share by hand or via a crisp kick to a leading forward. Finish with a goal from close range. Celebrate with a smile on your face. It is footy the way it was played in the Under-10s. It belies, for the briefest of moments, the gravity of the tragedy unfolding all over the globe.
Jack Riewoldt is a handful early. Jason Castagna finally gets that goal that eluded him on Grand Final Day. Daniel Rioli is electric. Dusty is smoother than Michael Buble’s favourite whiskey.
The empty stands look eerie. We speculate on what could be done to rectify this issue. My best suggestion involves the use of “Lord of the Rings” style CGI effects. Perhaps digital artists could fill the MCG with a colony of graceful elves in the Members, a horde of orcs in Bay 13 and a hungry cavalcade of Hobbits behind the goals, enjoying their evening elevenses, pie and chips in one hand and a tankard of ale in the other? Surely Hobbits were born to go to the footy?
Upon resumption, the Blues strike back. They begin to halve the contest. They set up camp in their forward fifty and force the Tigers to defend desperately. They are back in the game in general play but struggle to score, allowing Richmond to keep them at bay.
It is a truism in footy that the better team always comes back late in a quarter. Richmond’s Initial dominance ensures that the Blues must work hard to claw back into the game and that they will inevitably tire in the last few minutes before the break. Even with shortened quarters, this truism rings true. This one ends with classy and clinical Richmond goals. The half-time lead is telling. Sadly, the luckless Matthew Kreuzer is limping gingerly in the rooms and will take no further part in the game.
The third quarter belongs to Jack Martin. A prized draft pick possessed of prodigious talent, his first career on the Gold Coast was marred by injury and indifferent form. Now he finds himself playing for the Blues on the big stage, in front of what should be the biggest crowd of his career to date. He announces himself with twenty minutes of impressive football, kicking and setting up classy goals that give his teammates a sniff. The napping Tigers wake up just long enough to restore a comfortable lead at the final break. They are playing a dangerous game tonight.
With nothing to lose, Carlton press forward with determination in the early part of the last quarter. Patrick Cripps and Sam Dockerty provide the leadership. Their teammates fight hard. For most of the game, their kicking at goal has been erratic at best but, suddenly, they find their accuracy. McGovern marks strongly and kicks truly. Could the unlikeliest of wins now be a possibility?
Since quarter time, Riewoldt and Lynch, the Richmond twin towers have been held tightly by their determined opponents. The free flowing ball movement of the early part of the game has been disrupted alarmingly and the game is suddenly on the line. Worried text messages are being exchanged on phones throughout the city. Umpire awareness is growing. I am making nervous Dad jokes, never a good sign.
What we have learned during the last three years is that Richmond’s morale, once the most delicate of flowers, is now rock solid. The hard men stiffen their resistance. Captain Cotchin, as he has done so many times before, lays down the gauntlet with crunching tackles. David Astbury throws his weight around. “Medal Magnet” Martin wins the disputed ball and uses it with vision. Rioli and the impressive Shai Bolton finish off the game with aplomb.
The first match of what will, no doubt, prove to be a difficult and truncated season has ended without incident. The next few months will bring us far more difficult battles than those we will watch on the football field. We will need these heroes like never before!
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
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About Joe De Petro
My favourite period in history began with the Summer of Love and came to a sad end with the birth of Disco. It was from 1967 to 1975. What was not to like in those days? The Grateful Dead, Creedence, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond and the mighty Tigers won Premierships every other year. It was a magical time, much like the current period in history.
That was a surprise.
Glad the artwork (and the crowds within) helped to add some atmosphere. Enjoyable read Joe. Your experience was certainly warmer than that portrayed at the ground…it felt so lonely. I wanted to pick the game up and lift it over the stands and into the park around the G.
No worries, Kate. If I ever figure out how to upload photos onto FA I will put up a photo of your paintings flanking the TV.
What are you like at drawing Hobbits?