To foist such a cruel and unusual fate upon an innocent cub, to consign them to a lifetime of agony and unmet ecstasy, well, why would you do that to a loved one?

Beau Beattie is more than familiar with this sort of derisive humour, meted out so meanly and often to yellow and black supporters of a certain age.

Beattie, 26, was born in 1988, in yet another wasted year for the club – a year in fact sandwiched between two wooden-spoon seasons (1987 and 1989).

Beau has lived through the "Ninthmond" jokes and the "I hate it when I'm kicking the footy around and Richmond try to recruit me" Facebook page (70,464 likes).

He has never enjoyed the glory of Richmond Football Club dynasties afforded to his father Brett, 50, or grandfather, Terry, 71. Maybe soon though.

"I grew up hearing all the stories about Richmond, and they just seemed like folk tales," he said. "But I can see it now. It's materialising again. Definitely."

He is not alone. By early Monday afternoon, more than 6000 Richmond members had purchased a ticket to the elimination final against Port Adelaide.

Fans unable to buy a seat on flights into and out of the city of churches took to social media with pleas to accommodate the diehards (and don't dare call them bandwagoners).

The club itself, understanding the demand this brand of Tigermania has wrought, will be screening the game live at the ME Bank Centre.

They have also organised "Tiger Army Express" bus services to transport the masses to South Australia. Brett Beattie, Beau's dad, won't need a seat on the convoy.

Also known as "Trout from Woodend" (or "that guy with the curly yellow wig in the Tigers cheer squad"), Brett was able to land a flight – and add to his fan history.

Brett is banking on a 10th straight win - a perfect Fathers' Day gift to end the weekend - and maybe even a few more historic wins after that. Why not?

His perspective as a supporter careens from back-to-back flags in 1973 and 1974, all the way to the tin-rattle "Save Our Skins" fundraising campaign in 1990. Anything seems possible.

"Sunday really is a bit of celebration day for our family," he said. "Yes, it's Fathers Day, but my dad will also be 40 years clear of cancer on Sunday. It's a great occasion."

Terry Beattie grew up in North Richmond within earshot of the Punt Road Oval crowd. He knew exactly where to sneak through the fence into the outer.

Now, six decades later, he has nine children and 16 grandchildren, almost all of whom are inextricably bound to the club (as is his great-grandchild, which is on the way).

Terry won't buy into the dream of 13 straight wins capping an unprecedented premiership tilt. The pater familias is more of a fatalistic fan - he leaves the fanaticism to his brood.

"I'm afraid I created a bit of a monster – a clan of fans," he said, laughing. "I think Sunday is a 50-50 game. It's there to be won, but I've certainly seen enough to be a little wary."

Twitter: @KonradMarshall

Email: konrad.marshall@fairfaxmedia.com.au