Jack Riewoldt’s fourth-quarter goal the moment that started Richmond celebrations
WHEN Jack Riewoldt goaled early in the fourth quarter, Tiger Time began, says Jon Ralph, 30 minutes of unbridled joy as fans basked in the reality they were about to be 2017 premiers.
Richmond
Don't miss out on the headlines from Richmond. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TIGER Time.
That yellow and black catch-phrase can be an emotion, a state of mind and at times for a Tiger Army declaration of intent.
TIGER TIME: SOUVENIR GRAND FINAL EDITION OF THE SUNDAY HERALD SUN WITH 32-PAGE WRAP OF ALL RICHMOND’S PREMIERSHIP WIN
Saturday, Tiger Time was 30 minutes of unbridled joy from those fans as they basked in the reality they were about to be 2017 premiers.
So often the winning of a premiership involves a white-knuckle ride almost too intense for its fans to bear.
STARS, FLOPS: BRENDON GODDARD RATES EVERY GF PLAYER
MATCH REPORT: WELCOME TO THE NEW “RICHMONDY”
For the Tiger faithful the final stanza was a quarter-long victory parade that was as sweet as any celebration in the club’s recent history.
And it was set up by 165 seconds of pure Richmond football to start the final term that encapsulated everything outstanding about Richmond this season.
As ball was thumped into the turf in the centre square with 30 minutes to play, Richmond were 34 points up and yet far from home.
The club’s supporters must have wondered if some sick joke was about to be played on them as Adelaide pulled tried to pull off a historic comeback.
Instead, in one fluid passage of play that mixed brilliance, structure, individual heroics and symbolism, they ended this game as a contest.
YELLOW, BLACK: TEARS, BEERS FLOW AFTER REMARKABLE WIN
DIMMA SPEAKS: YOU’RE KIDDING: IT’S BEEN AN AMAZING RIDE
NORM SMITH: DUSTY COMPLETES HISTORIC PERFECT SEASON
Of course it started with Norm Smith Medallist Dustin Martin, wresting the ball out of the centre to Trent Cotchin with two Crows hanging onto him.
His kick somehow found Daniel Rioli, who emerged from a pack having conjured a miracle mark.
Then as Adelaide repelled the ball another inspired state-league recruit in Kane Lambert went back with the flight to pick Tom Lynch’s pocket once more.
All day Richmond fans had been sucking the oxygen from Adelaide’s game plan
But if anyone was going to seal this game for Richmond, it was Jack Riewoldt.
Lambert’s piercing kick inside 50 saw Riewoldt climb over Charlie Cameron to pluck the ball from the sky.
If any player summed up Richmond’s transformation into a selfless, team-first outfit capable of winning a premiership it was Jack.
It was left to a player who this time last year believed his premiership dream was gone to kick the goal that put a final flourish on Richmond’s premiership.
Cue the riotous celebrations.
By the 20-minute-mark it saw chief executive Brendon Gale openly weeping
By the 24-minute-mark it was time for the Tigers theme song to break out in an isolated pockets of the ground.
Riewoldt had missed three early shots in this game but knew his moment had arrived.
“It was important to get one early so I knew what we knew what we should do in that situation and it paid off. It was awesome,’’ he told the Sunday Herald Sun afterwards.
“I saw the coaches come to the bench (later in the quarter) and I knew there was a only a couple of minutes to go.
“I started to place myself next to Grigger (Shaun Grigg) for the celebration, I might have moved into the back half. He is one of my best mates so to celebrate with him was really important.”
High up the stands, former player Gale knew Riewoldt’s goal was a huge moment.
“I felt we had the game on our terms and you get 35 or 40 points up and I just couldn’t relax because you are trained not to,’’ he said.
“And I just had a rock in my guts and it was Dusty who kicked the next goal and I saw my mum next to me and I lost it.
“I am not an easy person to live with when I am low and I take it hard so to share that moment with my family is fantastic.”
Dylan Grimes says that combination of Richmond stars and scrappers combining for the sealing goal said everything about Richmond’s journey to a flag.
“The thing I like about Kane is he was picked up off the scrapheap and I wouldn’t expect anything else from Kane and those two in Dusty and Cotch.
“I love that it’s what we are about, tough and gritty plays that aren’t always the prettiest. But we fight bloody hard.”
Lambert, a former VFL footballer no one wanted, had created his little slice of history.
“To be honest it was my turn to go and I saw Jack pop up and he’s a superstar and he’s clutch. Then once the siren went the lid was just off.”
This premiership - and that glorious 30-minute slow-burn celebration - will live in Tiger history as the most glorious celebration this club has seen.
Record mid-season draft haul could save Essendon’s year
The Bombers’ key position stars are dropping like flies, but with the mid-season draft around the corner some much needed reinforcements will arrive. See who could don the red and black.
Tigers fans didn’t know it — but this day created a dynasty
It was Richmond’s high-point in a 37-year run of misery. And although Tigers’ fans weren’t aware — it put them on a path to premiership glory over two decades later.