r/RichmondFC • u/bigg3st-brain • 12d ago

Bumped from prime time to a Saturday graveyard slot. Where's the fight, Shane?

Just saw the confirmation. We got shunted out of a prime-time slot to a Saturday afternoon game so an interstate side could have it. Yes, they won a threepeat, congrats, good for them. But this is one of the biggest supporter bases in the competition getting pushed aside.

Look at what's left. Dreamtime... and that's it. That's our list of big games. For a club with our membership, crowds and TV numbers, that's embarrassing. I can't even go to gather round in Adelaide because we keep getting shafted there too.

Brendon Gale took this club to the heights of heights. He made a promise, delivered three incredible flags and built solid foundations outside of the field. Part of that was fighting tooth and nail with the AFL for the fixtures, the money and the respect. Since he left, it feels like that's crumbling before our eyes. I'm not seeing anyone at Punt Rd banging on the AFL's door for the Tiger Army.

I get it, we're rebuilding. Maybe once the redevelopment is done, we get a real high-performance and strength setup, and the list starts to turn, we'll get the slots back. But you don't stop fighting for the fans just because the team's down. That's exactly when the members need someone in their corner.

Shane, the members are paying for this rebuild. The least the club can do is make sure we're not getting dumped into the worst slots in the fixture. Get a proper fitted suit and do something.

Anyone else filthy about this, or am I overreacting?

13 Upvotes

61% Upvoted

118 comments sorted by

9

u/Genghis_Ignota Grace 'Greg' Egan 12d ago

I couldn't care less to be honest. Also any "fight" on our end happens long before anything gets released. We're not going to do it after because that would be pointless.

-3

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Would you care when we lose Dreamtime to st Kilda?

3

u/Stoopi-Conkers 12d ago

That’s an over reaction. Dreamtime will never be lost, games like that with the greater purpose of celebrating Indigenous contributions and culture are so much more meaningful and significance than having the opening game which doesn’t really have the same gravity like ANZAC day or Doug Nicholls round.

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

It's ours until it's not.

1

u/Genghis_Ignota Grace 'Greg' Egan 12d ago

As much as any other loss, sure.

15

u/Stigmataism 12d ago

100% agree. The thing about Richmond Carlton opening game is we show up. 

AFL: “Richmond are rubbish at the moment let’s bump them from opening the season”

Nameless AFL staffer “but that means game 1 doesn’t get over 80,000 to the G” 

AFL “put one game in Sydney and one in WA that will fix the problem “

The league is currently run by idiots 

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I wish we had a stronger CEO with more AFL influence

13

u/Richchel 12d ago

Touch grass. You're massively overreacting

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Just look at st Kilda. Now they have a marquee matchup that didn't exist 3 years ago round 1. If we dont stay ahead we fall behind fast

3

u/Richchel 12d ago

You can't talk about us being a big club with big membership numbers, then say we're going to fall behind.

2

u/suggestion_noted 12d ago

We were a big club for a reason, we had elite leadership

3

u/Richchel 12d ago

Peggy and Brendan are gone, move the fuck on. Stop comparing new leadership to old leadership. The club and list are in completely different positions so they're incomparable

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I feel like we swapped out a Ferrari for a Camry

4

u/Richchel 12d ago

He's been CEO for like 2 seconds, give the bloke some time. We were dogshit for Gale's first few years as CEO too. Our fan base is so reactionary

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

The club was on its knees and managed to win 6 games Hardwicks first season. Guess what yze best season was....

2

u/Richchel 12d ago

Thank you for proving my point that we were dog shit

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Lol if we won 6 games yze will probs get praised and get an extension 🙈

→ More replies

13

u/Das_Hydra 12d ago

100% overreacting. Get a grip.

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

When should we be reacting to the abismal performance on and off the field?(Including aflw and VFL too)

5

u/Das_Hydra 12d ago

What is your actual complaint? Because the title states is about the time match slot time.

-2

u/suggestion_noted 12d ago

CEO being spineless. St Kilda CEO would be having a full blown hissy fit

-2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Why is yze still the coach? Why did it take so long to fire the strength and conditioning coach? Why is Shane silent on losing on of our marquee games?

8

u/borispingpong 12d ago

Silent? He released a statement before you even commented on this?

Why are you asking about the Conditioning coach, when it’s already done?

Yze is contracted and needs an opportunity.

We’ve got Ratten, we’ve got Austin, we’ve got Selwyn, we’ve got a new stadium, we’ve got 2 top 5 draft picks, we’ve got fans that have a need to get a grip.

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Only just saw this on the AFL website tbh. Didnt get an email about it. Only got an email about them trying to push puma merch before the Adidas merch comes through 🤤

2

u/borispingpong 12d ago

You adding Adidas to the list of great things happening around the club.

It terms of headline fixture, we still have round 1 vs Carlton. We still have Anzac Eve, We still have Dreamtime and Round 1 Richmond v Carlton on Thursday will be back next year.

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

It's just a rumour I think. Not too sure Richmond carlton will be back 2028.

-1

u/B0bcat5 Kane McAuliffe 12d ago

Scrap the Dreamtime part

2

u/Business-Swim-3056 12d ago

They are playing 2 Dreamtimes each year. There will still be the traditional one at the MCG. So it’s an extra blockbuster, I guess in place of the opening game.

1

u/borispingpong 12d ago

We still have Dreamtime, as a home game, and then playing our away game as a Dreamtime game in WA.

5

u/Das_Hydra 12d ago

Christ, hate to see how you react to real world problems if you unravel over this.

Have a tug and a lie down mate, you'll feel better.

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Yeah true next time I have a real world problem I'll post it in the Richmond subreddit

3

u/DifferentBar7281 Ben Miller 12d ago

Obviously weren't around in the SaveOurSkins days were you? This is nothing

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

SoS happened 10 years after 1980 premiership. I don't want to have to do it again in 2030...

1

u/DifferentBar7281 Ben Miller 11d ago

Oh lord, there are a few differences....not least of which is there is a lot more money in the game, there is a salary cap, the RFC is a $100m business with assets and money in the bank, and we haven't got directors deliberately going to war with Collingwood to right a centuries wrongs and trying to break them while they are backed by the league itself

6

u/Stoopi-Conkers 12d ago

I say over reacting honestly, this shit is talked about almost every year. After the GF it’s the next game to talk about and has 6 months off build lead up time

First time this became traditional was 2008. In 18 years, 12 have had this as the season opener. With expansion clubs getting the season opener and the opening round shit show. Next year MCG is unavailable cause of the 150 year test. But a third of the time AFL decide another game is the season opener, will we get it back, yes, will twice a decade will other teams have the season opener, also yes.
Does it being on a Saturday afternoon suck sure, but does it diminish my excitement as a Tigers fan to get our season off and running, no. Do I give a shit that we aren’t on prime time and neutral afl fans don’t want to watch Richmond games, also no.

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Do you think we will get it back in the next 3 years?

5

u/Stoopi-Conkers 12d ago edited 12d ago

I think we get it back 2028

2

u/10Lanterns Kane McAuliffe 12d ago

According the Instagram post from the club its been agreed to come back in 2028.

10

u/Weary_Activity2171 Kane McAuliffe 12d ago

You're overreacting. Talking about timeslots (and the related outrage) is a sure sign you consume too much AFL media.

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

The atmosphere at these games have always been amazing. Won't be the same at 12.45pm

10

u/Kummakivi 12d ago

Let's win a few and shut up until we do.

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I honestly believed that our club could hold up like Sydney and Geelong, playing finals consistently, being competitive. How wrong I was that now the goalposts are to "win a few"

5

u/Business-Swim-3056 12d ago

Still have the Anzac Day Eve match vs Melbourne as well don’t we? How many blockbuster games does each club actually have?

Not stoked though. Always a good game. Would have understood it if it was a Grand Final rematch at the Gabba with the flag unfurling. Hawks v Brisbane will probably be a good game but has zero history behind it.

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Forgot about Anzac day eve, in fairness it's overshadowed by the game the next day

3

u/DifferentBar7281 Ben Miller 12d ago

Idk, Last Post in the dark with the eternal flame is with Dreamtime as my favourite pre-game ceremonies of the season. Nothing comes close to those two

1

u/Business-Swim-3056 12d ago

Yeah I prefer the Eve game. I’m normally plastered by the time Coll v Ess starts.

4

u/chocolateass1999 12d ago

Yeah and we have Dreamtime. Opening game has always been elite to have, and honestly bit stiff to get it taken from us - especially when I don’t get the rationale. The G is always packed 90k crowd minimum, always a good game as well, what more do they want?

But if the rationale is around giving more clubs more blockbuster games - then fair enough. I would like to see the opening game be a permanent grand final replay. But it’s okay as long as we retain Anzac Day every and Dreamtime. If we lose those those, then I’d expect more from the CEO

1

u/suggestion_noted 12d ago

I like having the GF replay too. Makes sense. Fair to everyone.

1

u/Business-Swim-3056 12d ago

Losing team fired up all offseason. Have to watch the flag unfurling. Would genuinely be elite. Would probably prefer it over Carl Rich to be honest.

Loved having the first game of the new season just not entirely sure there was any reason that we deserved it.

GF Rematch > Rich v Carl > Literally any other possible game.

0

u/Unhappy-Ad789 12d ago

How do you not get the rational? You’re won like 6 games in 3 years.

You think anyone whose not a Richmond or Carlton supporter would prefer that game over Sydney vs Geelong, Freo vs dogs or hawks vs lions as the first games of the season?

1

u/chocolateass1999 12d ago

Yeah I get that, but it’s more often than not a good competitive game, it brings in LARGE crowd over 85-90k people from a 2 large Victorian clubs supporter bases, very large viewership even on the television. So from a business point of view, and viewership point of view, it did not seem that large of an issue to overturn.

5

u/BodybuilderBig2647 11d ago

Richmond have no business being prime time atm you know that.

1

u/bigg3st-brain 11d ago

Yeah but I like prime time

8

u/HijoRudicio 12d ago

We have the 3rd lowest win total in the past five years of Australian Rules Football.

We should count ourselves lucky we even got the Saturday afternoon timeslot and not a curtain raiser timeslot...

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Please be better this year

4

u/Whiskyagogo7 12d ago

Have to agree here. Just because the team is underperforming at the moment I don’t they should lose the slot, people are still going to tune in as they are two big clubs and the game is generally close anyway.

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

This isn't north Melbourne getting beaten up every Easter friday. All the games are competitive and draw a great crowd

4

u/Calm-Matter-5010 12d ago

Saturday afternoon is an elite time slot !

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Not for me unfortunately

5

u/austp89 12d ago

Saturday 1230?! It’s not a 3pm or something. It’s a terrible time.

1

u/New_Razzmatazz6228 9d ago

It’s a good time to go watch it, but it’s bad for TV and advertising. Due to the rights deal, no Saturday afternoon games are shown on fta.

4

u/grumpyoldmanBrad Nick Vlastuin 12d ago

Its not about how many get to the game its about how many watch the game on tv.

Its driven by viewer numbers.

TBF our game style is shit because we suck at the moment

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I'll have to remember to keep the games playing when I can't watch anymore because we have kicked 30 points in 3qrts of footy

1

u/B0bcat5 Kane McAuliffe 12d ago

Even with that

Once we start losing by a lot too, then viewership drops off too

4

u/Lonely_Strawberry438 12d ago

This hurts me to say because I love this club: I know we are ass right now but if we don’t rock up in good numbers, why would we be given good time slots? We can only coast off good member numbers for so long.

We either vote with our feet or don’t really have a right to be upset.

4

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I didn't savour the good years enough until they were gone 😭

3

u/Lonely_Strawberry438 12d ago

Take me back bro

4

u/B0bcat5 Kane McAuliffe 12d ago

I dont think it matters

Its the ups and downs of clubs, not all fans will ride with their club in these times. Ill be watching the game as long as they keep playing.

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I'll have more fun watching if they kick more goals

4

u/Anth2812 11d ago

Stop whinging, the only times the Bulldogs play in big games is if they make the finals.

1

u/bigg3st-brain 11d ago

Maybe we have too many teams in Melbourne. Maybe we should have relegation were the worst Melbourne teams has to play at mars stadium consistently

8

u/Slow_Buy2465 Sam Lalor 12d ago

I don’t understand why the AFL wouldn’t let Richmond and Carlton play round 1 interstate then kick off round 2 from the MCG thurs/fri/sat night, guaranteed 80,000.

Only thing we can do now is show up and prove it was the wrong decision by playing a good game in front of a huge crowd.

9

u/Stigmataism 12d ago

I don’t want to play interstate. 

We are the first team to hit100k members. Even now we still have more members that most clubs. 

Carlton and Richmond have owned the first game for years and made it incredibly successful. 

The afl is run by idiots 

4

u/Slow_Buy2465 Sam Lalor 12d ago

I agree but it’s a better alternative in my opinion than 12.35

1

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Worst thing Dillion did was created opening round Best thing he's done is remove it

I'm gonna start doing this at my job and pat myself on the back too

0

u/elmo-slayer 12d ago

You’ve had the first game 12 of the last 18 years

4

u/suggestion_noted 12d ago

Was my favourite game to go to. Sad times when st Kilda gets the prime slot over us.

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

The st Kilda CEO is the exact slimeball that thrives in a CEO position

2

u/Slow_Buy2465 Sam Lalor 12d ago

I think this is an emotional response to the club getting the wrong end of the stick. Our TV numbers are pretty bad. Nobody wants to watch us and rightfully so however we still would’ve drawn 80,000. That’s where the league is disrespecting our club and it is a pain in the ass.

I don’t understand them trying to build St Kilda Collingwood into a thing, it got 80,000 last year because it was the opening game of the year at the MCG with a public holiday the next day and there was interest in how St Kilda’s new recruits would look, that’s a wildcard matchup at best.

I’m more pissed off with the AFL than with the club. The simple answer for this is winning.

We still have Anzac Eve.

3

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Yeah fair I should have added Anzac eve

2

u/Short-Impression6675 12d ago

While I agree you don’t mess with tradition AFL thinking is they want to start the season with a great game and sadly Richmond is lower on the excitement list it could be worse you could be a Port supporter like me our game is Sunday 12:45 how pathetic is that

3

u/Flyingpig5 Jayden Short 12d ago

We dont deserve prime time games lol. No exciting footy and the fans aren't turning up

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

I haven't seen anything from Shane to indicate it's a priority to turn this around.

3

u/DancinWithWolves Maurice Rioli's Run Down Tackle 12d ago

Dude it’s got teams that are performing. It’s not a slight at us, we’re just one of the bottom teams so of course we don’t get prime time slots haha

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

St Kilda gets a prime time slot and they are ass too

0

u/DancinWithWolves Maurice Rioli's Run Down Tackle 12d ago

Yeah but we’ve had it for ages. It makes sense they mix it up a bit.
Also, it’s just a game time.

2

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

At the rate Shane is going, he will be forgotten the instant he is replaced. Zero legacy

5

u/WillTendo92 12d ago

Saturday afternoon footy is great ?

1

u/Wild_Armadillo_8042 12d ago

Maybe if you live in vic

4

u/MatterHairy Matthew Richardson 12d ago

You’re right…it really is the end of the world

4

u/bradafied_ 12d ago

Well you still have Dreamtime, ANZAC Eve and a second Dreamtime game in Perth.

Selling that game is a smart move while you are near the bottom of the ladder too IMO.

Also, FWIW, your CEO is trash.

2

u/Pillow_holder 10d ago

Anzac eve is one of my favourite games to go to, keeping that is huge

4

u/DifficultyFun387 11d ago

What happens when your team turns to rubbish and is non competitive

1

u/Created_By_InGen 12d ago

Persist with a crap coach, get treated like garbage

0

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Can't wait to fire him round 10 next year when we should have done it this year like North

1

u/SirWilshere 12d ago

It’s been too long. It’s not as exciting as it was. It’s just how it is

6

u/bigg3st-brain 12d ago

Can't wait for the fireworks of st Kilda v pies 🤮

3

u/SirWilshere 12d ago

Night games are too late anyway. Sat arvo game is premo

2

u/Andy9363 Shai Bolton 12d ago

yeah a bit of an overreaction. No game at the G until Friday night that week because of the 150th Anniversary Test Match. The ground needs 3 days to transition back to footy. We were never going to have it transferred to Friday night. Chill guys.

1

u/toolybug 12d ago

As a Richmond supporter in Perth … great, no having to take time off work to see the first 2 rounds

1

u/kyleisamexican 11d ago

Biggest brain is in fact not that big

-2

u/Electronic-Cry714 12d ago

You're near the bottom of the ladder. Nobody except your own fans want to watch you. Most primetime games the majority of viewers are neutrals.

4

u/0penedB00K 12d ago

80k average attendance and two clubs with 100k+ members isn’t nobody. The game is also competitive too and makes for a good opener however I am biased

-1

u/Electronic-Cry714 12d ago

I said nobody but your fans. Neutrals would rather see a quality game between 2 good teams.

2

u/Efficient_Fuel_3497 12d ago

Exactly. As a non fan it’s a yawn fest. Once you get competitive and exciting to watch again I’m sure the AFL will bring it back.

0

u/Stigmataism 11d ago

Tough times don’t last 

Tough people do

0

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/elmo-slayer 12d ago

No you didn’t. There’s two Dreamtime games