T4 Chapter 8: Richo and the 2020 AFL Grand Final

 Lulu, Richo and Dovic were so excited to be going to school the day before the Grand Final weekend. All the staff and students would be wearing their football colours and Richo made sure his footy was pumped up and ready to go. Lulu practised the routine she had made up to the Richmond Tigers theme song and hoped she’d have the opportunity to show it off to Hibiscus and her class. As they waited for the students at the front of the classroom, Richo handballed the footy into the air and caught it again.

“Do you really think the Tigers will win?” asked a student as he entered the classroom and his friend answered, “I want the Cats to win.”

One of the boys wearing the Richmond Tigers colours, mentioned to Hibiscus that he was worried his friends, who were going for the Cats would mock him if Richmond lost. “Just tell them you’d prefer the Tigers to win but they’ve already won 2 and it’s OK for the Cats to win one after so many years. They’re still a good team.” Daniel thanked Hibiscus and she added, “But the Tigers will win!”

The day was a good day, there was an air of excitement, footy games at lunchtime and sausages were sold in the canteen. The students in Hibiscus class took the side of the Cats or the Tigers, although Josh was all for the Blues. As the students went home, they were happy to know they were getting an extra long weekend, due to the Grand Final.

The game was a hard-fought match and at half time, the Tigers were losing 2 goals 2 to 5 goals 5. Fortunately the star of the Tigers team, Dustin, kicked a goal just before the siren. The Tigers came back in, energised and eager to win and kicked goals, despite injuries. They won by 31 points and everyone was happy. Black and yellow streamers fell everywhere and their song was sung loudly, “Like the tigers of old, we’re strong and we’re bold cause we’re from Tigerland”.

Richo and Dovic entered the classroom on Monday morning and draped the Tigers scarf around their chair, holding on to the football. He couldn’t wait to see the Tigers supporters and wondered if they would come in cheering. He saw them all come in wearing their school uniform and they got down to work after roll call.

Hibiscus took them all out to the garden for a lesson and the students had to sketch 9 things they were grateful for in a five-minute time limit. Some students only drew 5 things, but some students thought of many more. Richo enjoyed sitting out in the sunshine although he didn’t like the cold wind blowing their paper back up in their faces. He noticed some red flowers growing out of the hedge and he saw a black crow fly over their heads.

At recess time, students stayed back in the classroom and came and talked about the Grand Final while the Tigers theme song played in the background. Richo was overjoyed at hearing what they said. As they ran out to have their break, Richo turned to Dovic and said, “Coming to school during Grand Final time was the best!” and he kicked the football through the imaginary goal posts at the back of the room. Dovic laughed and smiled at how happy his friend was.

Later that afternoon, after all the students had gone home, it was announced that the premier was going to open up cafes, restaurants and retail as of midnight Tuesday. Dovic said, “Oh boy, oh boy” and Richo looked at him and laughed, “That’s Gazza’s line, not yours” and Dovic laughed with him.