NOTHING was going to stop Kilmore couple Jake and Tracy Richardson getting their hands on Richmond’s 2017 premiership cup in Bendigo on Sunday.
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Just as nothing could keep them away from the MCG last September as the Tigers disposed of Adelaide on grand final day.
Not even the impending birth of daughter Codi.
Tracy was 39-weeks pregnant when the Tigers notched their first premiership in 37 years – missing the game was never a consideration.
“I went to all three finals (versus Geelong, Greater Western Sydney and Adelaide) .... there was a chance she would come early,” she said.
“But she came a week after the grand final on October 6 and arrived on her due date.”
Tracy, who followed her father into supporting Richmond, and Jake, a 21-year club member, are regulars at the MCG.
They see the irony in sharing a surname with one of the most famous Richmond players of all, Tigers legend Matthew Richardson.
The young family were among roughly 800 Tigers fans who attended the premiership cup viewing in Rosalind Park, organised by the football club as a precursor to its AFL community camp in Bendigo and Echuca this Monday and Tuesday.
Jake said the roughly two-hour round trip from Kilmore to Bendigo was no bother when it came to sharing the spoils of premiership success, while Tracy described it as the perfect family outing.
“We saw this advertised on Facebook and thought why not – it’s a great opportunity to see the cup,” he said.
“It’s great that you can up nice and close and actually put your daughter in the cup.”
The couple list their favourite player as Kane Lambert and are adamant Richmond can go back-to-back, something the club has done twice before in 1920-21 and 1973-74.
“I can’t see why not,” said Jake.