Yellow-and-black army unleashes passion ahead of Grand Final
The Tiger Army is painting the town yellow and black ahead of Saturday’s Grand Final, with Richmond’s legions of fans ready to drown out GWS and help the Tigers secure their second premiership in three years.
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Richmond considers itself ready to send Greater Western Sydney’s hopes of a maiden premiership packing and cement its status as one of the modern great teams.
A crowd of more than 100,000 yesterday flanked a Grand Final Parade from the city to the MCG to offer their footy heroes some last-minute encouragement.
A yellow-and-black army almost as big today will roll out a rough welcome to a Giants team raised on AFL baby bonuses but threatening — as its theme song puts it — to make “a big, big sound’’.
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Superstar Dustin Martin said the Tigers were ready to pounce after tasting premiership glory in 2017 and the disappointment of last year’s exit in the preliminary final.
“Obviously a bit more relaxed because we’ve been here before,” he said.
“I know what to expect so I’m just enjoying the moment.”
With the script still to be written, a special plot looms for fairytale debutant Marlion Pickett, who will play his first AFL match on the biggest stage.
Martin branded his new teammate “special’’ and “up to it”.
“I couldn’t be prouder of him and I couldn’t be prouder of the club for giving him a chance.” Martin said.
Man of the moment Pickett, 27, drew a huge roar from the crowd at Richmond training on Friday and the biggest press pack as he soaked up his first Grand Final Parade.
His approach to life was simple: “Just relax.”
“Hopefully, eventually as the game goes on, I will get a touch or whatnot but if not I will be happy to put the pressure and tackles and that on,” Pickett said.
Forward Daniel Rioli said the enormity of the occasion was “starting to sink in” and he was excited about playing in front of a huge crowd including friends and family from the Tiwi Islands.
Defender Bachar Houli said he was “absolutely humbled” to play in his second Grand Final.
“It is a special moment and I’ve focused all week on just enjoying every moment that comes with it,” Houli said.
Captain Trent Cotchin said the Tigers would have “smiles on their dials’’ as they ran on to the MCG “because that is just what we are about’’.
Richmond legend Francis Bourke told the Herald Sun: “It is great to be a Tiger these days.
“I’m confident, I think we’ve got the best team on paper, but there are no guarantees because Grand Finals are hard to win.’’
Fellow great Dale Weightman said the Giants would be “a good test”.
“They’re playing really good team footy and to beat us you’ve got to be very good at that,’’ he said.
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Forward Josh Caddy said the Tigers would “enjoy the moment” and added that winning flags was “the most fun”.
“It’s pretty special to be back here again, it’s awesome — what you dream of as a kid,” he said.
Defender Brandon Ellis said he was “a little nervous but more excited than anything”.
“This is the best week in footy we can ask for,” he said.
Animated fans, meanwhile, have draped the streets of Richmond in yellow and black.