Footy is a rich tapestry.
Tonight, as we step out of Pellegrini’s Restaurant into the cold night air, steady rain is falling, prompting us to wimp out and trundle to Parliament Station, where we can remain dry and catch a train to Jolimont.
This is one of my favourite places to eat before a game. Meals are simple, quick and tasty, served up with all the charming insouciance of the 1950s, harkening to a time long gone. On the walls are memories - another tapestry - of meals that were enjoyed by Melburnians and their visitors.
Sadly, there is a new portrait on these walls, one that was not there when I was last here, a depressing memorial to a fallen hero. I am wounded by this reminiscence as I shuffle along the wet footpath, seeking refuge from the elements.
Dreamtime at the `G is a celebration and I do not remain melancholy for long. Even on a miserable night, the first sight of the MCG is thrilling. Young Sidney Stack, an Indigenous lad from Western Australia, has caught the imagination of Richmond fans this year with his fearless play and winning smile. When he participates in the Welcome Dance, his joy is infectious.
Both teams have been ravaged by injury. Essendon are resplendent in their red, away Indigenous jumper but Joe Daniher and Devon Smith are not among them. The Tigers have been hit even harder, forced to pit 19-year-old ruckmen against seasoned veterans.
Both are desperate to give their teammates first use of the ball. As well as their ruckmen, the Tigers' captain and both vice-captains are also missing.
Conditions are poor. Scoring will be difficult. Both teams begin slowly, jostling for position, feeling each other out as they parry early assaults.
The first goal of the night is kicked by Jack Higgins, who marks strongly in good position before calmly slotting it through. The Tigers are away! By the time the first break is upon us, not much else has happened.
In the modern AFL, footballers are not used to sloppy disposal. They are generally possessed of crisp skills and demand much of their teammates, mainly because they nearly always deliver.
Tonight is different, the ball is slippery, accurate delivery is difficult. Rain continues to fall and there are few of the sparkling passages of play we have come to expect. Bachar Houli is both clean and prolific while teammates and opponents struggle in the conditions.
The umpires make a rod for their backs early, pronouncing several poor disposals as “deliberate out of bounds,” encouraging participation from a belligerent crowd. It is hard to believe that anything deliberate is happening out there at all. This is just a dour slog, one where the more talented team is slowly grinding to victory.
New Tiger full-forward Tom Lynch marks strongly and goals, midfield dynamo Dion Prestia kicks accurately to a clear goal-square and Richmond go to the half-time break with a handy three-goal lead.
For the Dons, Tom Bellchambers has capitalised on his edge is size and experience and Michael Hurley defends with aplomb.
They say that the third is the premiership quarter, when the more-fancied team stakes its claim to victory. They say that the other team will be found out when the game is on the line. This is exactly what happens tonight.
Upon the resumption, Richmond is clinical. As the rain abates and the ground begins to dry out, the Tigers keep the scoreboard ticking over in their favour.
Jason Castagna, the Wolf of Punt Road, the leader of the Richmond forward pack, provides two highlights and Shai Bolton tackles fiercely for another.
In the dying moments of the third quarter, Essendon find their second goal of the night but the game is lost.
The final stanza is upon us. Did the Tigers switch off and turn their gaze to the next game? Did the Bombers play with the freedom of knowing they had nothing to lose? Did the - suddenly - dry ground change the dynamic of the game?
Just as the early leavers pack up their soggy gear and begin the trek back home, Essendon fights back. After producing one solitary goal in nearly three quarters of football, they play free open football. At last!
Do they suddenly feel the wind in their hair as they run? Do they rediscover the wonder of the game? The lead is whittled down to 15 points and is no longer comfortable.
Richmond manage to regroup and work hard to stave off what would be an unlikely but devastating loss. When Daniel Rioli leaps over a pack to take the best mark of the night and scores the final goal, the Dreamtime game ends in a fitting manner.
Houli is a deserved winner of the Yiooken Award as best-on-ground, having demonstrated his class throughout the game.
Joe De Petro is a Financial Planner and life-long Tiger tragic who has raised his three adult children as diehard Tiger fans. In some circles, the last of these things is considered an act of cruelty.
RICHMOND: 1.2 4.7 8.11 10.13 (66)
ESSENDON: 0.3 1.7 2.10 6.14 (50)
GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 2, Castagna 2, Higgins 2, Baker, Prestia, Bolton, Rioli
Essendon: Langford 3, Begley, Laverde, Bellchambers
BEST
Richmond: Houli, Martin, Edwards, Baker, Prestia, Vlastuin
Essendon: Parish, Heppell, Bellchambers, Shiel
Umpires: Donlon, Foot, Meredith
Official crowd: 80,176 at the MCG