Richmond 14.12.96 - Brisbane 17.12.114
We went into Brisbane knowing that the end has arrived for Coach Danny Frawley. He announced his resignation at the end of the season and has accepted his fate with grace and style. I don't think we should have expected anything less from a man who has exhibited courage and professionalism throughout his career at Tigerland. Being new to footy, I didn't know Frawley before he became coach of the Tigers but I have an awful lot of respect for him, and although the win/loss record indicates that it's time for him to move on, I will feel a loss at the end of this season. I thought this quote from him was absolutely wonderful:

"I just want to make sure this playing group by the end of the year has got a hell of a lot of confidence going into next year. That's super-important, regardless of how many games we win."

No bitterness, just coaching his heart out. I really like who Danny Frawley is.

They say Beware the Wounded Tiger. We may not have won at the Gabba but we put up a good fight! I like the opening paragraph of this particular news article:

    Brave Tigers push Lions
    10:02:58 PM Sat 3 July, 2004
    Dave Donaghy
    Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au

    Richmond's 19-year-old Jay Schulz bagged six goals but it wasn't enough to snap Brisbane's unbeaten home record this season as the Lions claimed a hard-fought 18-point win over the Tigers at the Gabba on Saturday night.

And I was ecstatic to read Alexander Pelic's comments below that he mailed to me after the game! All hope is not lost, Tiger fans!! I'm here for the duration -- I hope you will be, too!

From: Alexander Pelic
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2004 1:54 AM
Subject: Well Done Richmond
Hey Becky
How about that! We nearly won up at the Gabba. I was at the game and I can tell you, they played their hearts out. I rate this as their best performance of the year, even better than the win against Sydney in Sydney. Though I was disappointed that we lost, I have never been so proud of the boys. We really stuck it up those smug, show pony, arrogant buggers and gave their lot bandwaggon supporters a scare. What about Schulz!! He done terrific and silenced his critics. After fourteen rounds, he is the second highest individual scorer in a game against Brisbane and the highest at the Gabba. Good on him. The umpiring was dreadful once again. Lynch was gifted with his first two goals by the umpires. I am disappointed with Joel Bowden. In that last quarter he was on (or was supposed to be on) Martin Pike. Pikey killed us cause he was always free. Oh well, there is not much you can do but if these two things hadn't have happened, Richmond would've walked away with the four points. Just hopefully we will beat the Bombers on Saturday. They haven't been the team that they were made out to be so this is a prime opportunity to win a game.

Pelic