In 2001 I was in Grade 5, this year I’m teaching Grade 5’s.
The last time we made finals I was 10 years old.
Turning 11.
I was a chubby Greek boy that ate Moussaka for lunch at Primary School – the primary school in question has closed down now. People looked at me. Bewildered by the fact that I had this foreign cuisine at my disposal whilst they were munching down their party pies and sausage rolls. I was embarrassed though. I didn’t know how good I had it back then.
At the time I was an avid gamer, playing WWF No Mercy on the Nintendo 64 (Yes, it’s been called the WWE longer than Richmond’s last finals appearance). I loved my black and white clunky Gameboy. Where I connected a cable from one to another hoping to trade Pokemon with my friends. You had to catch them all back then. The PlayStation 2 was being released at that time. I remember wearing my EMINEM/D12 gangsta clothes at the local Internet Café talking with a few mates about it.
The memories were hazy, at times I’m in the middle of something and just randomly, I flash back to the past. Right at the time I wore a tracksuit jumper and pants with my school emblem on them. Completely oblivious to the fact how good I had it – it being, wearing comfortable clothes like that every single day.
At times I played with marbles, I still have this yellow DULUX bag my father gave me to store all my prized marbles. The fads at school ran through rather quickly.
- Pokemon
- DragonBall Z
- Cheez TV
- The Simpsons Comics
- Marbles
- Harry Potter Books
- Gangsta clothing (looking like sisqo was cool back then).
Most of these references probably wouldn’t relate well to Gen X people. They wouldn’t relate well to baby boomers either. But this reference you’re all familiar with. I spent that entire year eagerly awaiting the release of Michael Jackson’s new album Invincible. I loved Michael Jackson’s music.
Yes, I was probably the only 10-year-old boy who loved Michael Jackson’s music back at that time (still love it, was heartbroken when he died), actually hoping to go to Neverland one day.
During that year my German Shepherd Bobby was in absolute peak form. We had to put him down last year sadly. My grandmother passed away which was one of the saddest times in my life.
I look back at 2001 mainly because of my obsession with Richmond. The best time of that year for me was when I went shopping at my local shopping centre and Matthew Knights happened to be there. He was so amazing to me. Signed anything I wanted, invited me inside his shop and also got to meet Leon Cameron who was an absolute jet. I have that polaroid photo sitting inside my room. I’ll always treasure that. I never met another player for over a decade. My feeling was that no one could do justice to the way Matty treated my family and I on that day. I will always hold him in high regard.
I attended our semi final win against Carlton. All I remembered was staring into the crowd and simply being awestruck by the magnitude of Richmond’s people power. I also remember this – even though we made finals, I never gave us a chance to win the whole thing.
That was 2001.
This year I’ve taught Grade 5’s instead of being in Grade 5. I wear dressy clothes mostly every day. I’ve got a few greys in my hair, a few stories to tell and a smile on my face.
I also have to witness Brian Taylor reminding me five times a quarter how long it’s been since Richmond have made finals.
So here’s to you Brian, I know it’s been a while. But what matters is every time you mention it – I firmly seal the lid that little bit tighter.
Playing in finals was always a fantasy of mine. Throughout those 12 years of misery I have re-enacted Richmond playing in the Grand Final so many times in my backyard, in my head and on my PlayStation. I’ve been the messiah who has won them the premiership, Terry Wallace and Danny Frawley have done it too. Rory Hilton, Richard Tambling, Dean Polo, Justin Blumfield, Justin Plapp, Greg Tivendale, Nick Daffy, Matthew Richardson, Nathan Brown, Joel Bowden, Kane Johnson, Aaron Fiora, Paul Hudson, Greg Stafford, Brendon Gale, Matthew Knights and Wayne Campbell have all been the champions of my many reenactments through the years.
Here you have one sad, deluded person whose perception of reality has changed over the years. One thing’s for certain though, I have always seen the finals as an unattainable pipe dream.
Another premiership? Well that’s just otherworldly.
For the first time in my life I think we’re the real deal. But I’ll be savoring every moment and taking it one day at a time.
Gotiges.
Constandinos Bouliopoulos – follow me on Twitter @conmjj
