Harry Armstrong was lost for words.
Debuting in Richmond’s stunning comeback win over Carlton from 41 points down at the MCG in front over 80,000 fans in the clubs’ Round 1 season opener would be some sort of feeling.
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“I’ve never felt something like that before. I don’t know what to say,” the young key forward told foxfooty.com.au from the vibrant Tigers rooms.
“Late in the second quarter we just worked real hard – a lot of chasing and doing a lot of the little things. That’s what got us over the line.
“Every time there was a big tackle, the roar of the crowd was just unreal.”
Armstrong, 18, was one of three Tigers draftees playing their first AFL game on Thursday night alongside No. 1 draft pick Sam Lalor, who shined with two goals and two goal assists, and Luke Trainor.
Lalor was the standout, with Armstrong describing his fellow debutant as “unreal” and “a bull you can’t tackle.”
But the trio in general and Richmond’s other youngsters added a fresh exuberance that spurred on Adem Yze side’s nine goal to two second half as the Tigers coach was full of praise for his new faces.
“Luke (Trainor) is a star and he had some big moments late in the game … Harry Armstrong might not have touched the ball as much as the other two, but (Carlton has) some big defenders and he played a role for our boys and brought the ball to ground,” Yze said post-match.
“That’s the reason Seth (Campbell) and ‘Rossy’ (Jack Ross) and those boys hit the scoreboard, so we’ll celebrate that as well.
“The young boys really held themselves well in their first game.”
You knew it was a special win with the way Mick Molloy proudly strutted around the Tigers rooms.
Heck, it felt like a finals win based on an all-time rendition of the song from the players including an epic Gatorade shower of the debutants – and other Tigers playing in their first win – in the centre.
Lalor felt like an A-list celebrity getting mobbed by groupies as he got pats on the back, high fives and hugs while embracing with fans, friends, teammates, staff … and basically anyone dressed in yellow in black.
The loyal Tiger Army standing at the front of the rooms could barely be contained including one fan passionately shouting at Nick Vlastuin to tell him how much he loved him. It was warmly received by the star Tigers defender.
Richmond CEO Shane Dunne appeared slightly more subdued standing on the far side of the room, though you sense he would’ve been beaming on the inside.
It was somewhat bittersweet scenes for injured players including Mykelti Folau and Josh Gibcus, who clearly would’ve wished they were out there after a tough start to their careers.
Not far from them was a bunch of Richmond’s young brigade, sitting on white plastic chairs discussing the memorable night.
Adem Yze on celebrating an iconic win | 09:43
It might’ve just been their best win since those glory years under Damien Hardwick in an upset of epic proportions from the wooden spoon favourites over a genuine flag contender.
“I’ve got to be honest. I’m genuinely stunned. I just wasn’t expecting it,” Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
“I thought their effort was good early, but we’re talking about a team here that just persisted and wanted to have a go – and another team that didn’t handle it.
“The weight of expectation the Blues may have had on themselves and the fact these young upstarts put them under pressure … I’m so delighted for what the Richmond players experienced out there because that was reward for effort.”
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King added: “Could you script a better result for Richmond? To be in that position and to have the kid be the reason you win and the small ball … what an unbelievable night for Adem Yze.”
It might’ve been a Thursday night, but you’d think the Swan Street pubs would’ve be heaving after that one.
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