The first was the fear that I'd be the only dude there, shivering in the stands with chip sauce on my hands and wondering what the hell is 'Greater Western Sydney', where does it begin, where does it end, and what made it better candidate for the AFL than Lesser Western Sydney? How will we all deal with the day when this team of giants from nowhere wins the flag?
The second was the Tiger performance the week before in heavy weather against the Dockers (who, incidentally, should have been called the Fremantle Doctors, invented a mascot called The Divine Wind, and adopted the M.A.S.H theme as the club song - anything but an anchor and 'heave ho way to go'). Our structures and playing style did not adapt well in the wet against The Divine Wind, and I was beside myself trying (in vain via Twitter - do players not read tweets during matches?) to get our lads to stop over-using the ball and start kicking long, low and direct to leading, chest-marking targets. That's what the Doctors were doing, and that's why Pavlich ate Tiger for afternoon tea. GWS Patton is a Pavlich in the making, and Sheedy does not miss an opponent's weak spots. I just did not like the prospect of being there in the winter dark watching GWS send us all back to our tortured uncertainty about everything Richmond. We must always remember that Sheeds has never forgiven us for beating Essendon by 74 points at Windy Hill in Round 18 1983, and hence he loves nothing more than to watch us writhe in agony.
And while my first reason to be nervous was mostly unnecessary (there was almost but not quite no one there), the second haunted me all afternoon. The basics were all OK. We went inside 50 on 31 occasions more than GWS, easily won the contested possessions count, and took 12 more clearances. These stats reflect the general strengths we've been able to retail all year. However, we kicked for goal like lame giraffes on a bush week safari, and lost the tackle count. Lost the tackle count I tell you! That's because Sheeds probably said something like 'Look, I think these blokes are a bit bloody soft in the wet. Put physical pressure on when they've got the ball and psychological pressure on when they are kicking the thing and you just never know, you just never know.'
Don't get me wrong. GWS played very well - and overall so did we. There was a lot of effort. There was a lot of hard work. But we weren't getting the scoreboard reward. GWS were intense about their opportunities (and kicked a polished 12.2) and we were just a little too easy come easy go. I thought we were doing enough to win, but when GWS drew level early in the 3rd term I seriously considered becoming a monk so I could leave the situation. In the end we held together. Our players looked tired and relieved, the song was sung with a little restraint, and Dimma looked a bit white in the face as though he'd seen some of ridiculous tweets that were flying about in the last half. The Richmond fan base's mood is just so fragile... seriously, sometimes we are like a bunch of manic nannas worrying about the on again off again demise of iced vo vos.
And indeed, fatigue is an ever real threat throughout the ever intensifying AFL. Players are under constant performance pressure, media pressure, and supporter pressure. Throw in some heavy weather and tired legs quickly become tired minds. So I think the bye has come at a great time for us. We have played with so much intent so far this season, and apart from blow out wins against Melbourne and Hawthorn, every match has been touch and go for us. We deserve - nay - need this break. All of us - fans included.
We've another tough gig after the break. Adelaide at AAMI stadium is always a daunting task, and especially so this year with those pesky Crows up and about. A bunch of players have headed to Cairns. I hope they snorkel well, top up their tatts and get amorous with a backpacker or two. But when they head to Adelaide in 10 days, I want them refreshed and focussed. We have a 'tilt at the finals' campaign to launch.
Eat them alive Tigers, eat them alive.
