Dear Fans

The other day, I accidentally told the truth at a media conference. For this I offer my deepest apologies.

Not just because I offended people but also because I am truly, deeply sorry.

Telling the truth publicly is not how someone in the public eye should ever behave.

I guess, despite everyone saying they want you to tell the truth people just get upset if you do.

Jack Nicholson was right when he said in the Witches of Eastwick, ‘you can't handle the truth.’

I should have said that we are performing really well this season and will definitely play finals and would soon be firming as Premiership favourites.

I should have held you close and told you everything was going to be OK, that my arms were a safe harbour in a harsh world.

Brett Deledio did the right thing, saying he believed we can still play finals.

I just couldn’t do that.

Not because I posses some belief structure that Brett lacks, although that’s true, it’s because it’s fanciful.

One of the problems I have is that I’ve watched every Richmond game this season.

It’s pretty hard to then stand there and say everything’s looking up.

So I’ve learnt my lesson Australia. What you say you want and what you do want are different things.

From now on when I speak, you can be assured it will be with soothing, lyrical words.

Every single syllable designed to avoid any jarring of your comfortable lives with unpalatable truths and timed to present the perfect grab on the nightly news.

Best

Jack Riewoldt