What is it to be a Tiger? When many of us made our way to Adelaide last September, or filled the MCG with Yellow and Black in the Elimination Final the year before, the whole city wanted to know about us. Richmond was the news. Our team were kings of the jungle. And us fans, we were part of the story.

Football hardly knows of such passion as a Tiger on the prowl. On and off the field.

And could it be true? Could each and all of us in the crowd be that person who helps make a difference to the fortunes of our team? Could we be the ones willing them from the other side of the fence – from in front of television sets, from country towns, from interstate and abroad – whose passion might rouse a stadium and sway a contest?

They say we are sleeping giants. They say the ‘Tiger Army’ is a sight and a sound to behold. They say when Richmond at last win a next premiership this city won’t sleep for days, and it might never be the same again. Such is our longing; our passion is true and we know it runs deep.

But who are we, and what are our Tiger stories?

This season, the Richmond Football Club turns its gaze to the other side of the boundary to share the stories of its fans. After Round 1, on each and every Wednesday, the Club will publish a profile of a fan in the outer. These are the voices in the crowd, those who are Richmond, all of whom have wonderful stories to tell about belonging and identity and being a Tiger.

Women, men and children, from all backgrounds and all ages, all with different life histories, and living in different parts of Melbourne and far beyond – what brings us together is a shared belief and a common love. When the Tigers run onto the ground and that banner is raised and our song is played, our hearts skip a beat.

And when our team play as one, when the football is beautiful and inspiring, or when it is hard and ferocious, we too become as one in our support. Sometimes, it’s as if we’d do anything for our team to win.

Some of those Tiger fans we profile might well be almost famous (does anyone know where we can find Trout from Woodend next Thursday night?), but most are not. The idea is to share the stories of ordinary fans, many of whom have extraordinary Tiger tales to tell.

And could it be true? Could some of these stories just maybe help inspire our team? Can our admiration for them – our Tiger love for each and every one who pulls on the colours we hold so dear – be reciprocated in how the team might play for us. Being a barracker, it’s a business of give and take.

This is a project also of participation.  It is about grassroots involvement. If you know of any Richmond fan who has a wonderful story to tell about their barracking, please email Dugald Jellie with details: dugaldjellie@gmail.com 

Let us hope we sing the song together many times this season. Let us hope many of our Richmond dreams might come true.

Go Tiges!


About the author: Dugald Jellie was born during the third quarter of a Richmond win at the MCG. For the past two seasons he has written a blog – www.tigertigerburningbright.com.au – about what it is to be Richmond.