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AFL Finals 2017: Tigers fans party like there’s no tomorrow

Richmond supporters celebrate long into the night after their team's crushing victory

Richmond supporters celebrate long into the night after their team's crushing victory AAP / James Ross

In the Richmond Tigers’ heartland it was pandemonium after the final siren and long into the night as delirious fans filled the streets to celebrate the end of the club’s 37 years in the AFL wilderness.

Swan Street, in the heart of inner-city Tigerland,was blocked to traffic as fans spilled out of the bars and onto the road to celebrate their team beating Adelaide by 48 points in the grand final.

The celebration was still raging long after midnight when a combination of alcohol and high spirits led to friction with police, who at one point turned a barrage of pepper spray on revellers.

In another incident a car pulled up at the lights was swamped by Tigers fans, who climbed on the roof and stood on the bonnet — not that driver Benji Miu raised any objections.

The night also echoed to obscene chants directed at Adelaide supporters and later, as police moved to control the crowd, Victoria Police.

“It’s an old car so I don’t really care,” the good-natured motorist told the Herald Sun.

Richmond’s historic Swan Street – spiritual epicentre of Tiger Army – becomes a scene of black-and-yellow revelry.

Thousands of fans danced as they waved their yellow and black scarves, while others sang the club song until their voices grew hoarse.

The more athletic climbed atop the verandahs of shops or shimmied up power poles to conduct the cacophonous orchestra of fans below.

For many supporters, it was something they would feared they would never get to experience in their lifetime.

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