As Round 1 of the AFL kicked off this week, I already feel lucky I barrack for the team I do.
Thursday Night, the Tigers lost to arch rival Carlton by 20 points. Chatting to a Tigers fan at work on Friday, I quizzed him about the match, and suggested he'd have to be encouraged by the teams performance.
He surprised me with his response.
"Yeah i watched it mate. It sucks. My games already over and we lost again, same old story for the tigers. Being a Tigers fan ain't that good when they lose in round 1....every year! You wait all pre season...The big Blockbuster Thursday night game, and bang, we lose, it's over, and now we have to sit through every other game until next week!"
Wow!
That's some frustration right there.
I often feel sorry for tigers supporters when I hear stuff like that, but in the same breath, I admire them. The yellow and black army is iconic in AFL.
Basically though, as long as I can remember they're a club that loses. I was still rolling around in nappies when they won their last premiership in 1980.
From a couch eye view, the excitement on Thursday night was high. The season was kicking off, and in this match we were seeing the new Richo, the new Tigers hero, Jumping Jack Riewoldt.
And boy, did he announce that last years break out season was no fluke. Jumping Jack turned the game in the 3rd quarter, the adrenalin was certainly pumping watching it at home. Sure i tipped Carlton, but we were seeing a guy making others look foolish, it was a period of genius, and it one couldn't help but cheer for Jack.
I thought the tigers were home at 3/4 quarter time, I shot a text to a mate who was at the game...a Richmond fan.
"Mate enjoy this, you're gonna kick their arse finally".
But through all of Jacks heroics, my friend wasn't blinded completely like I was, he wrote back...
"Don't know mate, I hope they hang on, but I've got a massive hard on for Jack. What a Star!"
Fair description of what's obviously become a severe man crush on his new hero. But hoping his team holds on instead of kicking clear, really shows the highs and lows of being a tiger fan.
I wonder, how many of them are filled with more love for the yellow and black, than faith?
This has to be expected after years of disappointment, I just hope they get their rewards one day. Gee, wouldn't the roar of Yellow & Black be deafening?!
Until then, my friends can at least enjoy cheering on Jumping Jack.
It's once your team hero, like Jack, becomes a champion, you greet the season with confidence rather than doubt.
And that's how I feel about tonight! Excited to see the hawthorn champ Lance "Buddy" Franklin, and my hero, strut out against the Crows with his mates Cyril and Roughy to name a couple.
I go into the 2011 season with no faint hopes, but pure anticipation that we will be more than competitive this year.
And just to think, Buddy could have been a Richmond player. Ironically, the man the Tigers chose ahead of Buddy in the draft, Richard Tambling, lines up for his new team, the Adelaide Crows tonight.
Oh what it must be like to be Richmond Supporter?
As a hawks fan, I'm blessed I'll never have to know the real answer.
