“The symbolism of having 100,000 members was extraordinary and [coach] Damien [Hardwick] was at pains to point out frequently that we weren’t just up in Queensland’s hub playing for ourselves.
“We were playing for our membership and families – and there’s 100,000 of them. It was a huge emotional support and clearly financial support, at an incredibly challenging time.”Critchley said she couldn’t wait to attend the game with her husband Brian Roy and daughter Jessica Critchley-Roy. It will be the first time they’ve watched Richmond’s men’s side live at the MCG since the 2019 grand final.
“It’s unbelievable to think we will be back at the MCG after almost 18 months,” she said. “Who would have thought when we were standing there in September 2019 watching Richmond win the grand final that it would be another 18 months before we got to see another men’s game in Melbourne?“It was great to have some footy [in hubs in 2020], we were all really grateful the AFL and clubs managed to get a season together.
“To do none of that was a massive hit for fans who are used to having it as such a big part of their lives. The ritual of going to games is so ingrained in us all.”Critchley will wear a badge with a picture of her sister Christine on it. Christine died suddenly a couple of days before the 2020 grand final and was a huge fan of Dustin Martin, who went on to win the North Smith Medal.
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