There are very few teams I feel sorry for in the AFL, but the Richmond Tigers are my exception.
For any supporter who has followed the yellow and lack over the past two and a half decades, I can honestly sympathize with the way they are feeling.
The club has a very pride history, and one that has been forged on strong and passionate support.
To a degree, this passion their fans and followers have can often be their downfall.
So many times we see Richmond enter a season of football, only to have massive expectations heaved onto their shoulders. Expectations they never seem to meet.
The Tigers have not made a Grand Final in the past quarter of a century, and the best they have to show is a 70-point Preliminary Final thrashing in the 90s during that time.
They have made the finals less than a handful of times since their last premiership and are clearly entering a drought that may live with the club over the next quarter of a century.
While many hope the Tigers can find some form and create a side capable of enjoying some success, the reality is they are far from achieving that.
We all saw last year how band-aid solutions and false hope can have dire consequences.
Predicting your side can make the Grand Final is a very bold move, and Kevin Sheedy’s words came back to haunt Richmond as they collected yet another bottom four spot on the ladder in 2009.
This year they look to be going even worse.
Their playing list needs a real shake, and their recruiting department needs to take a good hard look at themselves.
Richmond must be viewed as a work in progress, and only with time shall supporters start to see some results.
If they go for yet another band-aid solution in the hope of satisfying fans, they will only fall deeper into their already dark hole.
