Commenting on our shamelessly biased Crows’ correspondent’s exit with: Farewell: A Final Fumbles

It’s a little ironic that for all of Tom’s talk about the Crows providing an escape from reality for just a moment, his columns have done the same thing for many eternally frustrated fans. We might cop another belting, but at least you knew there was some good material on the way.

I’ll genuinely miss waiting for the InDaily update to land in my inbox every Monday. Sharing screen shots of my favourite lines with my friends and getting theirs back in return. On more than a few occasions I’ve had to contain my laughter in the office.

Thanks for the laughs (and sometimes sickening truth telling). – Andrew McKenzie

Just want to acknowledge Tom Richardson’s last Touch of the Fumbles. You’ll be missed, Tom.

We are all going to have to fumble around without you now, struggling to comprehend the agonies of being Crows supporters. I hope you find at least 119 new things to make you smile. – Alan Bevan

Very sad to hear that this will be the final Touch Of The Fumbles. This column is by far my favourite regular article of all time. Yes, all time. In fact, it’s probably the only article on any platform that I make sure to never miss.

With seemingly no light at the end of a Crow supporter’s tunnel for the next 5-10 years, it’s probably the right call. There’s only so much we can take. All the best Tom. And all the best, Fumbles. – Nathan Purdie

I don’t know how I’ll manage without you. Win or lose (and we’ve had a fair share of that lately) you managed to make me smile about the team that I love, despite the fact that it’s a basket case. – Aura Valli

Thank you so much for your wonderful insights into the highs and lows of being a true supporter. – Ros Francis

So long Mr Fumbles, I loved every word you said about our beloved Crows, and our despised Port, or Power, orwhatever they call themselves.

I wish that the Crows could summon the spirit of Malcolm Blight (who’s still with us) and Neil Kerley (who’s not), and inject some junkyard dog football nous into the players (and coaches). I could go on, but thanks for the memories and memes. – Paul Christie

Thank you, Tom, for the years of enjoyment your column has brought me. As a Port supporter, I guess I revelled in hearing how painful your club was to support, although my club continues to do much the same to me.

Go now.  Be free.  Or at least try to enjoy your next holiday on a Greek island without a thought of how your team is doing! – Angelo Mazzei

As a huge Port supporter, you’d think I’d hate Fumbles. It’s going to be a huge loss.

I looked forward to reading, there was always humour, you could sense the passion of the game. Thank you for the laughs and good luck in the future. – Melanie Sowden

Not before time. Had Fumbles been funny, even Port supporters might have laughed.

But it was just grim. Grim’s fairytales and bullying. More pertinently, why was there no balance in a publication that takes itself so seriously? – Robbie Brechin

Commenting on the story: Nothing to Bragg about: What really happened in the ‘bolshie’ by-election

First sane appraisal of the by-election. Fun to read, too. – Rob Ball

Always enjoy Matthew Abraham’s work on state politics. – Patricia Chigwidden

Great to read Mathew Abraham’s article. Always entertaining. – Vivien Smith

A big welcome, Matt Abraham. I have a small request: if you’re using big words that I don’t think the general public has ever heard of let alone used, can you explain their meaning. Maybe in your next column can you explain the meaning of psephologist. – William Hecker