After a sluggish start for both teams, where a 20-minute behind kicking contest ended with a breakthrough for the Giants via Jeremy Cameron, what followed was nothing but yellow and black – from Dustin Martin’s goal in the 25th minute to the rain of confetti over the premiership cup.
Giants’ captain Phil Davis was humble in defeat as he gave a short and sweet address in the post-match presentation.
“First of all, to the Richmond Football club, congratulations,” he said. “You’ve been an outstanding club for many years. To our Giants fans, thank you for your support and to the players – we’ll be back.”
Trent Cotchin was noticeably emotional as he took to the stage – he clearly understood the importance of the moment and how rare it is to lift the cup as captain – not once, but twice in his career and all in space of three years.
“Congrats to the Giants for an incredible year, you continue to show up and I’m sure in the near future it’ll be you guys standing here,” he said. “To the Richmond staff, our families and to our players. We really are blood brothers and I can’t believe we’ve done it again.”
Coach Damien Hardwick echoed the sentiments of his captain as he accepted the Jock McHale medal.
“To the Giants – we admire your club very much. You have overcome a lot of adversity this year, in much the same way we have and we wish you all the best for season 2020.
“To the fans for coming out – thank you. To our team, you are wonderful to watch, wonderful to coach. And finally to the Tiger Army, we’ll see you on Swan Street.”
Cotchin, not wanting to forget anyone, rushed back to the microphone to say one final piece.
“I was a bit rattled before,” he said. “I spoke about the blood brothers, but the heart that makes this club is the Tiger Army.”
Earlier Martin was awarded the Norm Smith medal for his dominant performance, which included four goals and 22 disposals at 86% efficiency. If Davis’ address was short and sweet, it sounded like a Shakespearean epic compared to Martin.
“Thanks to the AFL and all the major partners,” he said. “Thanks to the fans for coming out. YELLOW AND BLACK!”
Later he was more loquacious, touting the team-first approach that makes his club so special.
“That’s the thing I love about this team the most,” he said. “We don’t care who gets the disposals, who gets the goals.
“I’m a bit speechless to be honest. I’m so proud of this club. It’s a great bunch of guys, we love each other and we love the coach.”
The talk of the post-match was grand final debutant Marlion Pickett, who walked out on field like he had been on this big stage his whole life. Hardwick was glowing in praise of the father of four, but he admitted he was nervous about his decision to include him in the playing group for the grand final.
“Even last night, I couldn’t sleep to be perfectly honest,” he said. “I thought I’m either going to look like a dill or a champ. The thing that he has, he’s just so composed with the ball and our recruiters backed him in and said ‘Listen, this kid can do it.’
“And he probably gave us the greatest flexibility on the day. He was incredible really, the way he went about it. He’s going to be fantastic player for us, it’s a great story.”
Pickett himself was as straight-talking as ever when asked by Daisy Pearce when he felt comfortable in the game.
“Probably as soon as I ran on,” he said.
Despite the margin, it was an emotional celebration for the Tigers who realised they had done something truly special. And there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the little Auskicker awarded star Jack Riewoldt his medal and whispered “You’re my favourite player.”
For this club, it didn’t matter that they came in as favourites, it still felt like a fairytale ending.
