Watching the reaction of Melbourne and Dogs fans to round one wins is a nice reminder of how far Richmond has come in 24 months. Beating Carlton is always a little bit better than beating anyone else, but the win on Thursday night was about as regulation as they come.
So when Jack Watts is celebrated as the new Easter messiah and the Dogs attacking game plan seen as the best strategy since Keating floating the dollar, it's nice to sit back and go 'meh' after a four goal win against our mortal enemy and remember that it isn't all that long ago that such a result would have left us dancing in the street as if WW2 had just ended.
The usual slow burn round one build up was as excruciating as always and, sure, there was the usual opening night heart palpitations early but that comes with the territory of being a Richmond fan.
Somehow the planets aligned for me and my bus from Latvia to Estonia that spanned nearly the exact time period of the game came wifi enabled. If you haven't watched a Richmond game on a bus trip through the Baltic States then you haven't lived, I only kicked the seat in front of me five or six times.
Even when it got out to four goals early on, I was confident that we'd click into gear and Dusty, Lids and Cotch would drag us back for the rest to run over the top. That's exactly what happened except for the names involved. It's hard to think of a recent Richmond win on the back of such little output from our big three. In fact, the RTT lads inform us (can't link - shit Internet) that it's the first time we've won since 2010 with both Cotch and Dusty under 20 possessions.
The list of people who did step up should make Dimma giddy with absolute glee. With Malthouse playing three hard tags as if it was 2007, it let Hunt, Titch, Grigg and a few others get to work. Some kids get the luxury of a round one debut in front of a handful of people but McIntosh did it with 80,000 people there and damn near went best on ground. He can't back that up week by week but it's nice to add another string to the bow in the middle. As for Taylor Hunt, he's exactly what we needed and barely cost us a thing. I love Blair Hartley.
Again, it was only a very ordinary Carlton team but seeing guys like Titch, Griff, Vlastuin (who looks über fit), Lloyd and anyone else who I've missed step up while the big names were contained was encouraging. And gives just a glimmer of hope everyone won't stand around and look confused should a team kick three goals in a row against us this year.
There was a few of chinks in the armour but following a four goal round one victory while we sit on top of ladder (momentarily) isn't the time to float those, I'll wait until we give up a five goal lead to North and let them kick 16 in a row.
The votes:
5: Taylor Hunt
4: Brandon Ellis
3: Kamdyn McIntosh
2: Shane Edwards
1: Alex Rance
The Benny:
5: Taylor Hunt
4: Brandon Ellis
3: Kamdyn McIntosh
2: Shane Edwards
1: Alex Rance
Blair Hartley Appreciation Award:
5: Taylor Hunt
Anthony Banik Best First Year Player:
3: Kamdyn McIntosh
Joel Bowden's Golden Left Boot:
Not sure - shall check footed status of new players.
Greg Tivendale Rookie List Medal:
No votes yet.
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