TIGER FANS GRAB SPOTLIGHT IN THE LAND OF THE CATS

DIEHARD Tigers fans are roaring with excitement ahead of Richmond’s first grand final in 35 years.

With Victoria fighting to retain its supremacy against the threat from South Australia, Geelong is rallying to the Tigers in droves.

For Point Lonsdale’s Waight family, the love of the Tigers has been lifelong.

Mum Ali, dad Damian and kids Max, 10, Sam, 8, and Harvey, 6, will all proudly don the black and yellow for Saturday’s premiership clash — despite living in Cats territory.

They hope the Tigers will snatch their first premiership in 37 years against the Crows.

“My husband is one of 15 kids who are all Tigers fans, so we’ve got generations of Tigers on both sides,” Mrs Waight said

“We were both too young to appreciate the 1980 grand final, so it feels like a first for us.

“Max is especially excited — we call him Bruce Max-Avaney because he knows every stat and every player.”

The Waight family was luckyy enough to secure tickets to the big clash, but they will be separated across the MCG.

“We managed to score some tickets at the last minute, so we’ll be split up across the ground,” Mrs Waight said.

Young fan Ben Mifsud, 8, doesn’t have the same entrenched Tigers roots as the Waight family.

At the age of four, Ben decided he was a Richmond fan — and he hasn’t looked back since. He has managed to convert his father Tony — a Collingwood supporter — to back the Tigers for this weekend’s grand final.

“He’s got me on the bandwagon, that’s for sure,” Mr Mifsud said. “I’m a Collingwood supporter and he’s got me stoked that Dusty won the Brownlow, and rooting for Richmond this weekend.”

He and Ben have opted to watch the clash at home. “We can scream and yell and carry on as much as we want in our own home,” he said. “Hopefully the Tigers can pull it off.”

Supporters have complained loudly about the number of seats given to corporates but the Waight family say they’re just happy to be going to the MCG.

“We’re so excited just to have the chance to watch in peperson,”, Mrs Waight said.

Pictures: GLENN FERGUSON, ALAN BARBER GEARED UP: Local Tigers fans Ben Mifsud and (inset) the Waight family — Sam, Harvey and Max with their parents Ali and Damian.