In an era where clubs are obsessed with pre-game entertainment and selling experiences, Geelong opposing Richmond was a poignant reminder that nothing will ever shade the experience of two great sides in a finals series.
Earlier this year, new recruit Dion Prestia described Richmond as a “different world”, if you did not believe this at the time, after Friday night, it was undeniable.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground was packed with 95,000 voracious supporters, the passion was evident, the noise and excitement was unmistakable.
For the plentiful Richmond supporters in attendance, long-suffering and starved of success, the final siren rang out as vindication for their unwavering faith. It had been a long road to the first finals win since 2001. There had been drafting errors, the mediocrity of the Terry Wallace era before an underwhelming season in 2016.
Yet they stuck through when others may have become disillusioned and voted with their feet. The membership record of 75,773 is a testament to that.
Come the end of season 2016, Richmond itself was at a crossroads. Having failed to make finals for the first time in four years, many called for action. The pressure was immense as it was constant.
The game-plan was tedious and built around precision and perfection with little leeway for error, making even cavalier players in Dustin Martin seem robotic.
Brett Ratten suffered the indignation of losing to a young Gold Coast side at the time, missed finals and paid with his job in 2012. Rodney Eade was recently seen out of the Gold Coast, having failed to meet the expectations of finals, despite the problems admittedly being greater than anyone first predicted.
Mark Harvey was similar, having guided Fremantle to finals in 2010, he was dismissed despite an insurmountable injury toll in 2011.
Yet, rather than bowing to the pressure, Richmond stayed the course and reappointed Damien Hardwick until 2018.
It was a bold decision that went against the grain in AFL terms.
The call was made more important when Hardwick announced an intention to return to finals in 2017, which was laughed at by many at the time.
Yet, they moved to a decidedly uglier style of football, where they ranked last in disposal efficiency yet third for inside 50s and first for tackles inside 50.
The remodelled game plan moved from precision towards territory and ferocious intensity and is well-suited for the cauldron of finals football.
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With the high stakes apparent, Richmond and went back to the drawing board and placed their faith in the resources at Punt Road. Blake Caracella and Justin Leppitsch moved in alongside stalwarts Andrew McQualter and Ben Rutten to bring new inspiration and innovation to a Richmond coaching group.
The faith extended to the playing group, Jacob Townsend, once a fringe player in the midfield, now shapes as a key cog in Richmond’s forward line.
A hard match up as a strong marking forward, Townsend has kicked 13 goals in his last three games to point to a greater future. Ditto the likes of Nick Vlaustin and Kamdyn McIntosh who are experiencing career years.
There is an overwhelming theme of faith which, with Richmond on the precipices of a grand final, looks set to be rewarded in the grandest of ways should they overcome either West Coast or Greater Western Sydney.
Should they bring the intensity and dare they showed against Geelong mixed with the unbridled passion of their supporters, that is a more than feasible possibility.
If the Tigers are rewarded with the AFL’s ultimate success, maybe more clubs will be prepared to reward their coaches with faith instead of parting ways and proceeding with an endless line of rebuilds and five-year plans.
Something already witnessed with the reappointment of Nathan Buckley and Brad Scott at Collingwood and North Melbourne respectively.
And, should Richmond be in front come the final siren in the preliminary final, it will symbolically be the restoration of a fallen empire and awakening of a sleeping giant.
Yet, more importantly, it will be repayment for Richmond’s blind and steadfast faith.
Don Freo
Guest
Amen to that. I can't imagine there is one person at the MCG or one person watching on TV that wants half time entertainment.
Liam
Guest
I find that very interesting, as it explains how Richmond have gone from the terrible footy they played last year to the faster style and the confidence with which the players attack the game employed this year. It also makes sense given my thoughts about Hardwick, as a coach; he's quite good at thinking strategically about the game - in terms of breaking down a gameplan, identifying weaknesses - but as a gameday coach he's slow to adapt, and relinquishes control of the match too easily without change. He's also not a proud man, either, which is Nathan Buckley's weakness; Hardwick's ability to see the skills of his assistants in areas he is not strong is good enough to give them enough rein to make up for his own weaknesses. Bucks, on the other hand, believes he knows what's best, and is determined to see it through all the way.
Leonard
Guest
"Grand Final entertainment"?!?! - FFS, the Grand Final is the effin' entertainment, you morons-in-suits. Send them back to where they came from.
Gecko
Guest
Good article by Adam, exploring the broader consequences of Hardwick's success. This may have been a deciding factor in the re-appointments of Scott and Bucks (though it shouldn't have been because Hardwick lifted the club from a low base whereas Scott and Bucks came to clubs that already had a good base). And I agree with Milo re Hardwick's strengths and weaknesses. One of Hardwick's strengths this year is his willingness to allow assistant coaches to introduce new approaches, like the very successful forward press. So far Bucks has preferred conservative assistant coaches.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Don't think the decision to stick with Hardwick was 'blind faith'. Instead there was a hard headed decision to bring in a potential successor should the 2017 head the same way as 2016. Once Balme arrived he recognized a couple of things: One, that the players love Hardwick and given the nature of 2016 that moving him on after one bad season after their long journey growing together over seven seasons, could cause subsequent player disquiet and even risk losing stars such as Martin who saw him as a big brother or avuncular figure. Two, that notwithstanding the first point, Richmond needed to appoint the best coach in waiting as a back up plan, and with Balme's past life at Geelong, they went after Blake Caracella. Caracella is a great fit with Hardwick as his tactical nous shines whereas Hardwick gets stuck on plan A and doesn't easily change direction either in game, in week or in season. Hardwick's also appears quite fixed in outlook on several players - cant always spot talent and gets effort and enthusiasm confused with ability. Whatever, its been a successful year and regardless of what happens on Saturday week, Hardwick now appears safe contractually until at least the end of 2020 season.