Richmond army ready to roar at MCG showdown with GWS
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RICHMOND fans are pouring into the MCG, hoping to see their team advance to the Grand Final for the first time since 1980.
Fans desperate to score the last seats in the MCC queued long before gates opened for a chance to see the Tigers’ preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney.
The Tigers faithful are out in force at the ground as well as their nearby inner city suburb where pubs are packed.
A crowd of more than 95,000 is expected at today’s game and the overwhelming majority will be cheering for the Tigers.
The select few Giants fans at the MCG for the club’s second straight preliminary final will be vastly outnumbered by the sea of yellow and black fans on the march.
Seats on the first three levels of the MCC reserve are already full with limited tickets available for the top deck just minutes ago.
The Richmond cheer squad is ready to go. Picture: Michael Klein
Scores of fans waiting to get in before the gates open. Picture: Alex Coppel
A yellow and black chorus of Richmond fans will bring the stadium to life as a sold-out crowd cheers the Tigers towards their first Grand Final since 1982 and a shot at their first flag in 37 years.
A crowd of more than 95,000 is expected and the overwhelming majority will be wearing Richmond colours at the 4.45pm opening bounce.
Richmond fans have wasted no time in arriving at the MCG for today’s huge preliminary final as the build-up to the game ramps up.
Tigers fans have flocked in their thousands to line up outside the MCC Members reserve to secure their seat for today’s game.
A lone GWS supporter walks into the Melbournes MCG ahead of their clash with GWS. Picture: Jason Edwards
Meanwhile, a sea of yellow and black has swamped Swan St as the Richmond faithful flock to local pubs to settle their pre-game nerves ahead of tonight’s blockbuster.
Diehard Tiger fan Tyson Wenlock described Richmond’s atmosphere today as “electric”.
“I’ve been waiting 29 years for this moment,” he said.
“This is our year and we will bring home the flag.”
Mr Wenlock and his mates planned to settle some pregame nerves at The Corner Hotel before the big game between GWS tonight.
“We’re feeling really good, we’ve had a great season and now it’s game time,” he said.
“The atmosphere down here is absolutely electric, I’ve never seen Richmond like this before in my life.”
Steve Michaels said the last time he saw Richmond win a premiership was when he was 10 years old.
He’s now 47, and says he couldn’t be more proud to be a “loyal Tiger”.
“I’m going to the game and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.
“I plan to soak up the atmosphere this afternoon on Swan St then head to MCG and watch our boys.”
Mr Michaels believes Richmond will beat GWS by four goals but says he’ll “take a point if it means Tigers get into the grand final”.
Richmond Tigers fans converge on Melbournes MCG. Picture: Jason Edwards
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Richmond legend Dale Weightman, who played in the club’s last premiership in 1980, said the team had been “training as though they were going to play’’ and were fired up to make history.
“We’ve got a hurdle to come and GWS are a formidable side ... but we’re ready to go,’’ Weightman said.
He said a vibe, not felt in years, had settled over Tigerland.
“They’re a good bunch of loyal supporters, the Tigers, and when they’re up and running they’re good to be around.’’
One of the most loyal supporters, Sam, 40, from Hawthorn, was the first in line at the MCG yesterday, some 28 hours before tonight’s preliminary final was due to start.
The Tigers had given him the “best year of his life”, he said, and if they were to win their first Grand Final berth in 35 years, he wanted the best seat in the house.
“The darkest era in Richmond’s history has been my lifetime,” he said.
“This is not an opportunity that I want to waste.”
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Objects speak louder than words - even shouted ones - for this Richmond fan.
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The end of a loooong day at the footy.
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A Richmond fan gives it to the field umpire.
Picture: Michael Klein
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This bloke knows this feeling all too well.
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Tiger fans have traditionally learned disappointment early in life.
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Showered with abuse... then into the showers.
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Yep, it happened again, she’s thinking.
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An angry Tigers supporter fires one last shot at a Crows fan on his way out of the G.
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The bloke with his hands on his head sums up the mood perfectly as David Mundy wins the game after the siren in round eight.
Picture: Julian Smith/AAP
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He’d brought a camp chair and a bag of food along with him but said he didn’t anticipate getting through last night would be all that bad, having endured the long wait for Grand Final seats over the past 25 years.
“If you’ve got a seat, you’ll be able to sleep.”
Thousands of fans descended on Punt Rd Oval yesterday for an open training session, some cheering as though they were at the preliminary already.
“We couldn’t get tickets (to the game) so we thought we’d come down,” said mum Laurice Desilva.
“Everyone just seems happy and excited. I love the atmosphere. I’ve been waiting so long for them to get into the finals, so it’s very emotional.”
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Players going through final paces were just as upbeat, with Alex Rance joking as he autographed shiny footballs.
“I hope these are good to kick because they’re shocking to sign,” Rance said.
Many fans had taken the day off work or school to make the most of the club’s current position.
“Everyone talks about it — the long-suffering Tigers fans — so it’s a surreal feeling to be deep in September,” supporter and sports commentator David McKenzie said.
Francis Bourke, who won five flags in 300 games for the Tigers and was the last man to coach Richmond in a Grand Final, said he had his fingers crossed. “I’m really thrilled they have progressed as far as they have.”
Tigers great Matthew Richardson said fans who had stuck with the club through thick and thin “deserve a little bit of success’’ and the team was in prime position.
“They’ve played good footy all year, they’ve played consistent footy, it’s a good brand of footy to watch and I think that’s why the fans are enjoying it,’’ Richardson said.
He said the thought of premiership celebrations in Richmond was alluring.
“We’ll worry about the prelim first but I guess if that was to happen then I’m sure they would enjoy it,’’ he said.
Richmond cheer squad president Gerard Egan said he was nervously excited about the prospect of finally seeing his team qualify for a Grand Final.
“I would actually like to know how far away they hear the roar at the final siren if we win,’’ he said.
Tigers Open Training Session. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Just a few people down at Richmond training. @superfooty
Men, women and children of all ages were three-deep in some places along the sideline, with motorists in passing cars tooting and shouting, ‘Go the Tigers’ as they drove past.
One boy sported a ‘Dustin Martin haircut’ as kids kicked footballs and loyal supporters became emotional talking about their club’s finals run.
Laurite Desilva, from Cranbourne, let her son skip school to see the training and hopefully get his footy signed.
“We couldn’t get tickets so we thought we’d come down,” Ms Desilva said.
“There’s a lot of people but I was expecting that. Everyone just seems happy and excited. It’s great. I love the atmosphere.
“I’ve been waiting so long for them to get into the finals so it’s very emotional for my family.”
Sports commentator David McKenzie attended with his family, all showing support.
“It’s been 35 years since we’ve made a final and 37 years since we’ve won one,” Mr McKenzie said.
“Everyone talks about it — the long-suffering Tigers fans — so it’s a surreal feeling to be deep in September.
“When you’ve grown up with it and it’s in your veins — you’ve got to embrace it.”
Tigers Open Training Session. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Fans flocked to Punt Road to soak up the pleasant weather. Picture: Nicole Garmston
Richmond open training session at Punt Rd Oval. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Bek Demicoli said she was surprised by the season the Tigers have had.
“I didn’t think we’d make it this far. We just want to support them.”
Triple premiership Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown said the Tigers’ premiership threat was genuine and they “can definitely win it’’.
Fans have been urged to arrive earlier than usual and take public transport to tonight’s match, with extensive security procedures in place.
MCC spokesman Shane Brown said fans arriving close to game time risked missing the teams run onto the ground, as well as the first bounce.
Car parking will be restricted to about half normal capacity at Yarra Park.
Public and AFL Reserve gates open at 2.30pm, the MCC Reserve at 1.30pm
peter.rolfe@news.com.au
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