On Saturday afternoon Matthew White’s family arrived en masse at Telstra Dome for the NAB cup game between Richmond and Hawthorn. Their mission was to watch their boy make his debut in the yellow and black.
Proud paternal grandfather Joe, a lifelong Richmond supporter, shed a tear as he watched Matty run through the banner.
His maternal grandfather, who played for Collingwood in the late 40’s, was cheering his grandson on loudly and was even heard, shock horror, to barrack for the Tiges at one stage.
Matty’s Collingwood supporting mother wore a Richmond shirt to the game, in fact she said she might even wear it to work. (I'm not too sure this Richmond supporting mother would have done the same if my son ever ran out for Collingwood) If Matt had been drafted to Collingwood, Peter was going to wear his Tiger Tie to every game.
Proud dad Peter was pleasantly jealous as his son did what all Richmond supporters have dreamed about at some stage in their life, even just one game for his beloved Tigers.
Matthew was fairly nervous before the game so it’s good he had a chance to settle in before running on late in the first quarter when his initiation to the big time was a minor corky within 10 seconds of getting on the ground.
He was surprised that the noise from the crowd didn’t make any difference to hearing his teammates whilst out on the ground. He found the sometimes controversial surface ok, and the pace far quicker than he expected.
It was an exciting moment that brought a big smile to his father’s face when Matty slotted his first AFL goal through the hey diddle diddle. Matt hadn't kicked many goals during his junior career so it was a buzz to see one slotted through in game number 1.
Matt set himself a goal of two tackles for the game and enjoyed laying one on Sam Mitchell in the last quarter.
Matty fronted up to the team rehab early Sunday morning, lots of ice to get rid of sore spots, then went back home to bed to rest his tired body.
Matt was rewarded with selection for his outstanding training ethic and performance over the long, hot pre-season. This kid has his head screwed on properly. He’ll take on board all that’s said in the coaches wash up today and knowing what he has to work on will go about his business ticking off the boxes on his way to earning a spot in the team when the opportunity presents itself.
Proud paternal grandfather Joe, a lifelong Richmond supporter, shed a tear as he watched Matty run through the banner.
His maternal grandfather, who played for Collingwood in the late 40’s, was cheering his grandson on loudly and was even heard, shock horror, to barrack for the Tiges at one stage.
Matty’s Collingwood supporting mother wore a Richmond shirt to the game, in fact she said she might even wear it to work. (I'm not too sure this Richmond supporting mother would have done the same if my son ever ran out for Collingwood) If Matt had been drafted to Collingwood, Peter was going to wear his Tiger Tie to every game.
Proud dad Peter was pleasantly jealous as his son did what all Richmond supporters have dreamed about at some stage in their life, even just one game for his beloved Tigers.
Matthew was fairly nervous before the game so it’s good he had a chance to settle in before running on late in the first quarter when his initiation to the big time was a minor corky within 10 seconds of getting on the ground.
He was surprised that the noise from the crowd didn’t make any difference to hearing his teammates whilst out on the ground. He found the sometimes controversial surface ok, and the pace far quicker than he expected.
It was an exciting moment that brought a big smile to his father’s face when Matty slotted his first AFL goal through the hey diddle diddle. Matt hadn't kicked many goals during his junior career so it was a buzz to see one slotted through in game number 1.
Matt set himself a goal of two tackles for the game and enjoyed laying one on Sam Mitchell in the last quarter.
Matty fronted up to the team rehab early Sunday morning, lots of ice to get rid of sore spots, then went back home to bed to rest his tired body.
Matt was rewarded with selection for his outstanding training ethic and performance over the long, hot pre-season. This kid has his head screwed on properly. He’ll take on board all that’s said in the coaches wash up today and knowing what he has to work on will go about his business ticking off the boxes on his way to earning a spot in the team when the opportunity presents itself.
;D