Richmond’s soul-crushing defeats have created a new word: Richmondy
RICHMOND’S ability to raise the hopes of long-suffering fans then crush them in brutal and creative style has added a new word to the footy lexicon.
Richmond
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WHEN Richmond led Sydney by 36 points mid-way through the second term at the MCG, the Tigers appeared headed for an important win.
But as only the yellow and black can, the Tigers somehow managed to blow a huge lead and complete domination of the Swans to go down by nine points.
It was a stark reminder of the way Richmond has the ability to raise the hopes of long-suffering fans then crush them in brutal and creative style, which saw a new word to the footy lexicon just over a month ago as Fremantle came-from-behind to sink the Tigers after the siren in Round 8.
The term “Richmondy” has since gained plenty of momentum and traction on social media with narrow losses to the Bulldogs, Dockers and Giants between Rounds 7-9 and is now being used again after the loss to the Swans on Saturday.
It seemed like a loss only Richmond could manufacture.
“If you wanted to explain to somebody what being Richmondy was, you just have to watch this game,” comedian Wil Anderson, who coined the term, said on his 2 Guys 1 Cup footy podcast.
“Richmondy isn’t one of those things you can necessarily define, it’s like that definition of pornography: ‘you know it when you see it’. And this was a great example of how Richmondyness can just sneak up on you.”
So #richmondy to get ahead of yourselves and blow it #AFLTigersSwans
— Stuart Matthewman (@stumatt) June 17, 2017
Like the Tiger of old...#Richmondy
— Tyrone (@TheRandomTyrone) June 17, 2017
That was so #Richmondy #AFLTigersSwans
— AdamTrolloar (@AdamTrolloar) June 17, 2017
So #Richmondy, they know how to upset their supporters but not how to finish off a game of AFL. #AFLTigersSwans
— Dave (@djrose2904) June 17, 2017
Oh no. They didn't did they??? How?? #AFLTigersSwans #Richmondy
— Youngy (@adrianjyoung) June 17, 2017
While every team experiences heartbreaking losses, the tortured journey from hope to despair of the army of Tiger fans give the club’s defeats a unique character.
The losses are crushing but the fans stay true, with hope rising again just as quickly: “The lid comes off straight away, and I love that about them,” says Anderson.
@2Guys1CupAFL Honestly, as a Richmond supporter, #Richmondy is getting me through. Gotta laugh to keep from crying.
— Broderick James (@brodjamesg) May 14, 2017
No player in VFL/AFL history has had a shot after the siren to win v Richmond and missed. Three from three. #richmondy
— Al Paton (@al_superfooty) May 14, 2017
Don't ever change Tigers. #AFLTigersFreo #Richmondy #snatcheddefeat
— Daniel Walker (@dsfwalker) May 14, 2017
The defeats seem laced with extra daggers for fans who bleed black and yellow.
On Sunday Fremantle did not kick a goal from the 19-minute mark of the third quarter to the final siren. They had been smashed in clearances in the final term, but won the only one that really mattered. Even Ross Lyon left the box early thinking the game was lost and when he heard a roar from inside the MCG lift assumed Richmond had kicked another goal.
“Mundy’s had a kick after the siren three times — he kicked it both times against Richmond and missed against Geelong. That just feels so Richmondy to me,” says Anderson.
And it’s much more than one game.
CRAZY SEASON: HAS THE LADDER EVER LOOKED LIKE THIS?
ANALYSIS: HOW RICHMOND LOST A GAME IN 21 SECONDS
Richmond’s lack of success over the past four decades has been well documented, but the current group of players has brought renewed hope — and Richmondyness.
Anderson’s podcast co-host Charlie Clausen pointed out the Tigers have given up a lead with the final score of the game 11 times in the past decade, more than any other side.
Here’s our list of the most Richmondy games in recent times.
This is probably the most brutal thing we've ever made, but it had to be done... pic.twitter.com/9MnQyeXEhs
— The First Reserve (@TheFirstReserve) May 15, 2017
Round 18, 2012 — Richmond 13.13 (91) lost to Carlton 14.11 (95)
A Trent Cotchin goal puts Richmond 13 points ahead with 8:32 to run in the last quarter before Carlton responded with two goals to make it a two-point ball game. Steven Morris wins the ball deep in defence but kicks it out on the full 70m from Carlton’s goal with 54 seconds to play. Brock McLean marks the free kick, plays on and kicks long 55m from goal. The ball clears the pack and bounces through with 42 seconds to go and the Blues hold on.
Richmondyness rating: 9
Round 16, 2012 — Richmond 13.10 (88) lost to Gold Coast 13.12 (90)
The ultimate “Richmondy” game. Playing a home game in Cairns, the Tigers hold a 16-point at the 22-minute-mark of the final term and are still 10 points ahead when Addam Maric receives a free kick with 63 seconds left. A turnover and a dropped mark lead to a Jarrod Harbrow goal with 25 seconds to go to reduce the margin to four points. Then rugby convert Karmichael Hunt goals after the siren to give the Suns their first win of the season.
Richmondyness rating: 10
Round 5, 2013 — Richmond 12.8 (80) lost to Fremantle 12.9 (81)
A Matt White goal gives Richmond a five-point lead with 1:59 to run. But the Tigers hold the lead for just 35 seconds — at a boundary throw-in in Fremantle’s forward pocket Hayden Ballantyne is left unattended behind the contest and swoops to kick the matchwinner.
Richmondyness rating: 7
Round 3, 2014 — Richmond 15.8 (98) lost to Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100)
Richmond starts terribly, trailing the Dogs by 37 points at halftime, then storms home and a Jack Riewoldt goal with 3:22 to go puts them in front. But the Bulldogs have the last laugh as Daniel Giansiracusa draws a holding the man free kick against Brandon Ellis and converts with 1:59 remaining — the final score of the game.
Richmondyness rating: 8
Round 17, 2015 — Richmond 10.18 (78) lost to Fremantle 10.22 (82)
With Richmond leading by two points, Bachar Houli sends a behind kick-in with 82 seconds left long down the middle where it is marked by Docker Garrick Ibbotson. He passes to David Mundy 45m out straight in front. Mundy kicks the goal and the Dockers hold on for 31 seconds to claim victory.
Richmondyness rating: 9
Round 2, 2016 — Richmond 12.14 (86) lost to Collingwood 13.9 (87)
Richmond leads by 11 points and has possession of the ball with 2:16 remaining. Alex Rance gives away a free kick for holding Alex Fasolo, who kicks his sixth goal with 1:46 to go. As the clock ticks down Nick Vlastuin inexplicably handballs the ball over the boundary line, giving the Pies another free kick 60m from goal. Darcy Moore kicks to the top of the square and the ball falls into the hands of ruckman Brodie Grundy, who kicks the matchwinner from 15m with four seconds remaining.
Richmondyness rating: 10
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