AFL
Tiger implosion ahead of schedule
by STAFF REPORTERS
Richmond officials are thrilled with the club's progress off the field, saying that Tony Jewell's unprovoked attack on senior coach Danny Frawley had put the club "weeks ahead of schedule" in terms of the annual implosion.
"It looks as though 2004 is going to be a bumper year for the Richmond Football Club," Richmond President Clinton Dyer-Bartlett told The Bladder. "There'll be none of the usual uncertainty about whether we're any good or not for the first eight to 10 rounds. We're saying we're crap, right off the bat, and our usual off-field fun can get underway immediately."
The Tigers set a new benchmark last season, when calls were made for the heads of both Danny Frawley and Matthew Richardson after a dismal round-one performance against Collingwood.
"When we actually won in the first week of the Wizard Cup, we thought that really killed any chance of internal turmoil for weeks. But then we lost in week two, the fans went ballistic - bless their cotton socks - and good old Tony Jewell weighed in with his comments. Next thing you know we're all that anyone is talking about."
Dyer-Bartlett reminded Tiger supporters to buy their membership tickets quickly. "Round one is only weeks away and, remember, only official members are
allowed into the rooms after games to demand the coach's head.
"Plus, it sounds obvious but needs to be said: it's difficult to burn your membership ticket, or throw it away in disgust, if you haven't actually bought
one."
An unexpected financial boon for Richmond is club director Steve 'Woosha' Walsh's idea that members be allowed to purchase special half-price but highly
flammable membership tickets for the first half of the year, giving the members a full 11 rounds to choose their moment to destroy the card.
It is believed the Tigers are examining special extra-flammable cardboards to help fans along.
Meanwhile, embattled coach Danny Frawley couldn't be contacted by The Bladder.
He was initially going to take our call, then decided not to, then thought he might, before finally shrugging that he just couldn't decide whether to talk to our reporter or not.
Reports that former 1980 premiership hero Darryl Freame remains on standby to take over as coach remain unconfirmed, although one long-time Tiger supporter said, "Now is certainly a time when we need all our club legends on board. If Freamey can get clear of coaching the Wodonga Little Leaguers and get down
here, we'd love to see him."
Tiger implosion ahead of schedule
by STAFF REPORTERS
Richmond officials are thrilled with the club's progress off the field, saying that Tony Jewell's unprovoked attack on senior coach Danny Frawley had put the club "weeks ahead of schedule" in terms of the annual implosion.
"It looks as though 2004 is going to be a bumper year for the Richmond Football Club," Richmond President Clinton Dyer-Bartlett told The Bladder. "There'll be none of the usual uncertainty about whether we're any good or not for the first eight to 10 rounds. We're saying we're crap, right off the bat, and our usual off-field fun can get underway immediately."
The Tigers set a new benchmark last season, when calls were made for the heads of both Danny Frawley and Matthew Richardson after a dismal round-one performance against Collingwood.
"When we actually won in the first week of the Wizard Cup, we thought that really killed any chance of internal turmoil for weeks. But then we lost in week two, the fans went ballistic - bless their cotton socks - and good old Tony Jewell weighed in with his comments. Next thing you know we're all that anyone is talking about."
Dyer-Bartlett reminded Tiger supporters to buy their membership tickets quickly. "Round one is only weeks away and, remember, only official members are
allowed into the rooms after games to demand the coach's head.
"Plus, it sounds obvious but needs to be said: it's difficult to burn your membership ticket, or throw it away in disgust, if you haven't actually bought
one."
An unexpected financial boon for Richmond is club director Steve 'Woosha' Walsh's idea that members be allowed to purchase special half-price but highly
flammable membership tickets for the first half of the year, giving the members a full 11 rounds to choose their moment to destroy the card.
It is believed the Tigers are examining special extra-flammable cardboards to help fans along.
Meanwhile, embattled coach Danny Frawley couldn't be contacted by The Bladder.
He was initially going to take our call, then decided not to, then thought he might, before finally shrugging that he just couldn't decide whether to talk to our reporter or not.
Reports that former 1980 premiership hero Darryl Freame remains on standby to take over as coach remain unconfirmed, although one long-time Tiger supporter said, "Now is certainly a time when we need all our club legends on board. If Freamey can get clear of coaching the Wodonga Little Leaguers and get down
here, we'd love to see him."
