All Heart and a Huge Bite

The Richmond Tigers show their softer side as they roar their way to the top.

The Tigers gather around their injured star, Reece Conca.

Thursday night footy was back as Richmond played host to the second placed, Sydney Swans. On a cold Melbourne winters night, under the Etihad Stadium lights, the top two sides battled it out for top spot on the ladder. The match that was considered ‘game of the round’, certainly lived up to its name as both sides displayed a competitive and an intense fixture. The match was also a special one for Richmond’s, Reece Conca, as he ran out wearing the yellow and black jumper in his 100th AFL game.

As the Richmond boys begun their walk through the tunnel, the ‘Tiger Army’, (Richmond’s supporter group) began to chant “Let’s do the Conca!” as the milestone man, bouncing his Sheerin, approached the roaring crowd. The chanting from the crowd sent shivers down people's spines and put smiles on the faces of the players, certainly Conca’s. What a way to start your 100th match.

Early in the first quarter, Swans young gun, Ben Ronke, scored the two opening goals of the night and I have to say, they were quiet spectacular. His urgency and creativity is mind-blowing. You don’t see it often in the AFL anymore unless your squad has a rookie or a passionate athlete or Ronke of course. In the 10th minute, the game was put on hold due to a sickening injury to the Tigers milestone man. Involved in a contest with Swans star, Lance “Buddy” Franklin and ruckman, Callum Sinclair, Reece Conca fell to the ground, screaming in complete agony. As his cry echoed within the four walls of the stadium, the replay on the screens showed that he had landed awkwardly on the left ankle, leaving him in a lot of discomfort, to say the least. As he received some must needed attention from the Tiger trainer’s, Conca was put on the stretcher and strapped and loaded onto the back of the emergency “golf cart”. The midfielder just lying there almost lifeless, as the rest of the squad rushed over to the injured Tiger and gave him a heartfelt pat on the shoulder (pictured above) even a cheeky kiss on the forehead from Daniel Rioli. As the cart was heading towards the tunnel, the crowd rose to their feet and applauded Conca. The “Tiger Army” begun to chant, once again, “Let’s do the Conca!”. Sucking on Methoxyflurane, the pain-reliving drug commonly known as the “green whistle”, Conca raised a fist to acknowledge the support his was receiving from the crowd. I’m sure that wasn’t the way he thought his 100th AFL match would end, but the game must go on. Later that evening, Conca was admitted to hospital and his scans cleared the Tiger from serious injury and that it was just a dislocated ankle. Ouch!

Now I just want to say, that was the most wholehearted and genuine gesture I have ever witnessed. After hearing the terrifying screams and the cries coming from Conca as he fell to the ground, I just knew and I think everyone watching knew that it wasn’t good. When you see a player receive the “green whistle”, you instantly know, it’s night over for the injured athlete. But to see the squad rush over to their teammate and comfort him, is the perfect definition of what sport is all about. Yes there is competition, fight and the usual “argy-bargy” but at the end of the day, we are all mates and despite being reigning premiers and having to look tough and big headed, the Richmond Football Club came together and showed their true colours proving that there is a family culture at the club which is absolutely fantastic to see. Richmond members, fans, supporters, players, coaching staff and other staff members, should be proud of the level of devotion and emotion that was displayed during that moment.

The great battle between Rance and Lance.

Despite being a man down, Richmond continued to fight. An impressive performance from both sides allowed it to be a thrilling match. The Tigers were under pressure going into the Thursday night clash, as history showed that Richmond struggled to win their first match back, after the bye week. If history were to repeat itself, last year Richmond played host to the Sydney Swans at the MCG, a week after the bye round and lost the match in the fourth quarter thanks to a Gary Rohan stunner but Richmond’s consistent lead throughout the match, was enough to seal the four points for the reigning premiers as they claimed a 26-point victory over “The Bloods”.

What a night of footy? What’s not to love? Thursday night footy back, check! A thrilling clash between two heavy-weights, check! And to top it off, a heart-warming moment between a player, his teammates and the crowd. Even though Reece Conca’s night of nights didn’t end according to plan, at least the touching moment will be forever in the "memory bank" of every supporter, spectator, commentator, journalist and many more, who witnessed the moment.

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Thank you!

Lucy xx