Well risking and limb on the M1 and nearly having my car side-swiped thanks to some idiot who couldn't tie down his large roll of insulation or whatever it was, I made it to the Gabba in one piece for my first ever Richmond training session with time to spare and a good carpark to boot.
A small crowd of Tigers supporters enjoyed the warm and sunny 22 degrees conditions. Danny Frawley was a good 5 minutes on the ground before the rest of the team made an appearance. Matthew Rogers was noticeable as the last player on the ground and had to catch up with the rest of the group. Contrary to previous reports, Brad Ottens seemed to train strongly as did Ben Holland, although most of the training was on the furthest side of the ground away from spectators.
It was good to see Marc Dragicevic on the field.
I managed an autograph, photo and brief chat with Dale "Flea" Weightman. Interesting to note Leigh Matthews, Craig Lambert and Craig Starcevich all taking note of the Tigers training, much to the annoyance of Spud, who cut training to just under an hour. Actually if it wasn't for Dale Weightman, I would have missed grabbing hold of Richo as the players, with the exception of Campbo, made straight for the changerooms. Richo seemed anxious to go and do his cool-down stretches but still managed to sign his name on behalf of my daughter. Signatures were also grabbed from A.K. and Spud. Chris Hyde spent a little bit more time on the field and was by far the last person to leave the ground.
Afterwards, much to the delight of my 3 year old son, we managed to have a bit of a kick on the ground, with Mum actually kicking a goal and having two near misses (they were touched - but take note Richo). An official came out and ordered everyone off the ground much to the anguish of my son. Wayne Campbell re-emerged, having spotted friends or relatives and posed for photos and signed autographs for supporters. Joel Bowden briefly popped out and showed what a dry sense of humour he has.
As I was leaving the ground, I ran into Dale Weightman again who told me to hang around where I was as I would catch the players. Alas, Murphy's Law prevailed and the only players that happened to come my way were Wayne Campbell, Kane Johnson, Leon Cameron and Mark Chaffey. Chaffey obliged with an autograph, with the pen starting to let me down on this occasion and waved goodbye to us as Wayne Campbell made an illegal u-turn in Stanley Street. I wandered further down the road only to see David Rodan and Brad Ottens off in the distance, being the last players to leave.
All in all, it was with mixed emotions that saw me pack up my overwrought son who was crying that Richo wasn't coming home with us (his words not mine), seven autographs gotten and 11 photos (which will probably turn out with the players missing the tops of their heads).
A small crowd of Tigers supporters enjoyed the warm and sunny 22 degrees conditions. Danny Frawley was a good 5 minutes on the ground before the rest of the team made an appearance. Matthew Rogers was noticeable as the last player on the ground and had to catch up with the rest of the group. Contrary to previous reports, Brad Ottens seemed to train strongly as did Ben Holland, although most of the training was on the furthest side of the ground away from spectators.
It was good to see Marc Dragicevic on the field.
I managed an autograph, photo and brief chat with Dale "Flea" Weightman. Interesting to note Leigh Matthews, Craig Lambert and Craig Starcevich all taking note of the Tigers training, much to the annoyance of Spud, who cut training to just under an hour. Actually if it wasn't for Dale Weightman, I would have missed grabbing hold of Richo as the players, with the exception of Campbo, made straight for the changerooms. Richo seemed anxious to go and do his cool-down stretches but still managed to sign his name on behalf of my daughter. Signatures were also grabbed from A.K. and Spud. Chris Hyde spent a little bit more time on the field and was by far the last person to leave the ground.
Afterwards, much to the delight of my 3 year old son, we managed to have a bit of a kick on the ground, with Mum actually kicking a goal and having two near misses (they were touched - but take note Richo). An official came out and ordered everyone off the ground much to the anguish of my son. Wayne Campbell re-emerged, having spotted friends or relatives and posed for photos and signed autographs for supporters. Joel Bowden briefly popped out and showed what a dry sense of humour he has.
As I was leaving the ground, I ran into Dale Weightman again who told me to hang around where I was as I would catch the players. Alas, Murphy's Law prevailed and the only players that happened to come my way were Wayne Campbell, Kane Johnson, Leon Cameron and Mark Chaffey. Chaffey obliged with an autograph, with the pen starting to let me down on this occasion and waved goodbye to us as Wayne Campbell made an illegal u-turn in Stanley Street. I wandered further down the road only to see David Rodan and Brad Ottens off in the distance, being the last players to leave.
All in all, it was with mixed emotions that saw me pack up my overwrought son who was crying that Richo wasn't coming home with us (his words not mine), seven autographs gotten and 11 photos (which will probably turn out with the players missing the tops of their heads).
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