The Bad News is, of course, the third quarter. And the fourth quarter. And the final score.

WHAT HAPPENED??????

I sat down to my first live game in weeks and I was SO excited when we booted three goals right off the bat. Bam! Bam! Bam! 3.0.18 to 0.0.0. I can dig it! I was listening to the 3AW audio feed and they were saying the Tigers were igniting the MCG!! I was FLYING!!!!

Then the officiating turned bad. And not just bad, but putrid! Sam Newman got so frustrated he took his headphones off! (Or maybe Sam does that all the time?!?!) Every other play someone was bagging on the officiating.

Still I was hopeful, even when the Bombers pulled ahead. We were able to recapture the lead and we had an exciting ballgame. At least, I thought so.

And then the third quarter came. Essendon kicked 7 goals to our 1. Injuries prevailed. Sam Newman and Jason Dunstall went at it in the booth! Everything fell apart!

I gave up on our boys midway through the final quarter. It was the middle of the night and I was zonked. I'm glad I went to bed when I did because the game only got worse! I couldn't believe the margin when I awoke!

Well, regardless of the game, we have to feel for Rory Hilton who suffered what appears to be a serious injury. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.

From: Chris Greenway
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 4:54 AM
Hey Becky,
Yes, the umpiring was dreadful yesterday. Matthew 'Pretty Boy' Lloyd kicked 9, at least 5 of those were due to unearned free kicks. If you breathe on Lloyd you get penalised. Honestly he should legally change his name to Greg Louganis he's that good at taking a dive.

We were useless after half time. It was like we weren't even on the ground. The complete lack of direction from the coaching staff didn't help. What happens to Frawley at half time? It's just bizarre. Of course losing Campbell to a shoulder and Rory Hilton to a knee wasn't exactly planned. I think 2 guys played their last games yesterday: Matthew Rogers and Rory. No one is going to pick up a 25 year old who is recovering from a knee reconstruction and judging by his reaction he knew it.

From: Alexander Pelic
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 2:16 AM
Hey Becky,

I tell you what, I was so proud of them a week ago and now I am left wondering how on earth did I end up supporting them when everything suggested to me that I should be supporting either Brisbane, Hawthorn or Essendon. I would never change clubs if that is what you are thinking but it really does make me wonder.

Watching the game on Saturday after my team had to forfeit theirs made me realise how deap a rut the tigers are actually in. How can a team play such fantastic footy in the first half and then come out and play like the Jerilderie Under 8's. I apologise to those kids in the under 8s as they almost surely have more drive to play this game than Richmond. The umpiring in the first half was worthy of a footy game played in Hell. It seemed to me that the devil was umpiring himself. While Matthew Lloyds 5 first half goals looks remarkable, he must have been given about 4 of those from rotten decisions. I am quite surprised that the umpire didn't ask for the ball and kick the goal himself. Knowing within themselves at half time how much of a raw deal they are getting, instead of turning the anger and rage into a perfect second half display, they come out and look like they are all suffering dreadful hangovers. Essendon did lift but not as much as the turnaround suggests. I'll hand it to Richo though, his six goals were better than Lloyds 9 and even if Lloyd had kicked 15 Richos feat would still have beaten it because he got the rawest deal rom the umpys than anyone else. We have St Kilda this week and let me tell you that it wouldn't surprise me at all if we see a 70 odd point turnaround resulting in a comfortable win for the Saints. I just am thankful that we play Hawthorn once more before the end of the season beause that is looking as the only real chance to get another win this year. If my guesses are correct it won't take a coach like Eade or Wallace but it will take God himself to get the Tigers out of this huge rut. I hope I am wrong but I don't think I am.

I just want one more win before the end of the season just to know why I follow this sport.

Hope they can put these arrogant Saints in place now that they have got nothing to be arrogant and boastful about.

Pelic