If Richmond honestly thought a finals berth this year was a legitimate possibility, they were brought back to reality with brutal force by a ferocious Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.
Before the game, Richmond president Gary March guaranteed members the current administration would deliver a Richmond premiership.
Yesterday’s horrific performance makes one wonder how long the current administration thinks they are going to be around for.
How they are able to make such ludicrous guarantees is anyone’s guess.
After the game, the coach, Damien Hardwick was apologising to the same members.
Watching what can only be described as an embarrassing demolition, it’s safe to say the Tigers are not only suffering delusions of grandeur but are living in a world of fantasy.
Any thoughts of playing finals were extinguished with such ferocity by the Blues that Richmond fans were sent packing with their tails between their legs early enough to make the most of the afternoon sun.
The 59,650 fans that made the trip to the ‘G’ on Saturday for what was a Richmond home game saw not just a 103 point belting but yet another shameful and downright insipid performance by the Tigers.
Their fans would have had every right to demand their money back. Richmond that should be offering refunds.
We are starting to lose count of how many woeful performances Richmond have dished up over the last 20 years.
This was carnage. A thumping of such epic proportions that the Tigers would do well just to forget about it and move on – something they are all so used to at Punt Road.
As good as Carlton were, Richmond were simply pitiful, with a display that wouldn’t have beaten many VFL sides.
The Blues, coming off a reality check of their own last week against West Coast had a point to prove.
Still hurting, Carlton took out all their hurt and anger on the Tigers, smashing them in every aspect of the game.
After half time Carlton kicked 17 goals to 8 and at one stage led by 122 points.
Richmond’s midfield of Cotchin, Martin, Foley and Jackson against the likes of Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Simpson and Co was to be the highlight.
By half time the Richmond midfield had only one clearance between them.
By the end of the game, Carlton had demolished Richmond in clearances 66 – 33. Chris Judd with yet another best on ground performance with 31 disposals while Murphy had 27, proving to the young Tigers they are not even close to the level required to match it with the best and leaving Hardwick scratching his head and ashamed – again.
‘To dish up that performance is very disappointing. It’s probably the first time this year we haven’t had a crack,’ said Hardwick.
During the week we heard all about Richmond’s plans to exploit Carlton with the ‘tall timber’ of Jack Riewoldt and Tyrone Vickory. Again, fantasy stuff.
Riewoldt kicked four but was hardly a dominant force with Lachie Henderson doing a great job in a new defensive role.
It is clear that Richmond are in no position to be exploiting anyone.
Let’s not take anything away from Carlton. Even taking into account they were playing a spineless and inept Richmond, the Blues were devastating.
If there was any doubt as to the gap between the top four and finals aspirants, Carlton showed just how wide that gap has become.
Their attack on the ball and the body would have troubled even the Pies and the Cats. The return of the brutal and merciless Mitch Robinson typified what is lacking at Punt Road. Robinson has become arguably Carlton’s most important player.
The force in which he assaults his opponents is matched by few other players in the competition. An invaluable quality come finals time.
If Hardwick is looking for an example of the ruthless effort required at this level, he need only show his players footage on Robinson.
Richmond captain Chris Newman said in the lead up to Saturday’s game that spots in their line up didn’t come easy anymore and it was something you now had to earn.
If that is a true reflection of how things are at Richmond right now, they are in serious trouble.
Everyone in footy knows that building a competitive list takes time and lord knows, Richmond fans have had to be patient for many years. But the fans don’t ask for anything other than having a go.
Yesterday, for the umpteenth time they didn’t give a yelp.
Damien Hardwick abandoned his usual spot in the inter-change dugout in the last quarter for a seat up in the coaches box.
With the stark realisation that his playing list is akin to 22 witches hats, he should have followed the fans lead and gone home
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