David Parkin clearly knows a fair bit about finals football at the game’s highest level.
Parkin captained Hawthorn to its 1971 premiership triumph and later embarked on a highly-successful coaching career in league football ranks.
He was the Hawks’ coach when they won the 1978 premiership, and he subsequently guided Carlton to three flags – in 1981, 1982 and 1995.
VIDEO: Lambert on Prelim and Tiger Army
The coaching great is a pragmatic person, not prone to getting caught up in the emotional side of the game.
But even he was gobsmacked by the passion and noise generated by the mighty Tiger Army in support of their beloved Richmond team throughout last Friday night’s qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG.
“The atmosphere, which they’ve created, is equal to anything that I can remember at any Grand Final. There you are, that’s a huge statement,” he said on the ‘ABC AFL’ coverage of the qualifying final.
Valuable midfielder Kane Lambert, one of Richmond’s best players in its convincing 51-point victory over the Cats, paid a huge tribute to the overwhelming number of Yellow and Black barrackers in the massive MCG qualifying final crowd of 95,028.
“We have loyal fans – the best in the world. They were incredible last (Friday) night,” Lambert said.
“It was a very special night for everyone.
“There was just something different in the atmosphere. And the roar . . . there was almost aggression to it.
“And to hear them at the end singing the song – ‘Yellow and Black’ – it was very special.”
Lambert isn’t fazed by all the hype associated with the Tigers winning through to their first preliminary final since 2001, in quest of their first Grand Final since 1982 and first premiership since 1980.
“I think we embrace it and go for the ride with it,” he said.
“It’s going to be a very exciting couple of weeks, and it’s just as special for our fans as it is for us.”
