With Bryan Wood the next Richmond back-to-back premiership star of 1973-74 to be honored, as the Club’s ‘Coming Home Hero’ at Sunday’s match against Hawthorn at the MCG, Tony Greenberg reflects on the exploits of the dashing blond wingman in those glory years.

The dreaded second-year blues were never going to afflict Bryan Wood.

After making such an impression in his 1972 debut season with Richmond, playing 16 games and winning the Club’s Best First Year Player award, Wood’s fierce determination to succeed ensured there would be no resting on his laurels, as the Tigers sought redemption following their shock Grand Final loss to Carlton that year.

Wood had not been a member of the Richmond side defeated by 27 points in a remarkable goalfest (28.9 to 22.18), but he was no less committed to helping the Tigers make amends by the time the 1973 season rolled around.

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He would go on to play all 26 games for Richmond that season, including the ‘ day of atonement’, when the Tigers beat Carlton in the Grand Final by 30 points.

The then 19-year-old was a consistent performer right throughout ’73.  He averaged around 15 disposals per match, but, more importantly, provided the Tigers’ team with great dash from his wing.

His pace, penetrating kicking, aerial strength, burning desire and disciplined approach, made him a valuable cog in the Tiger machine, despite his tender football years.

Wood maintained his impressive level of consistency in 1974, with Richmond shooting for back-to-back premierships.

He played 23 of a possible 24 games, including the convincing Grand Final win against North Melbourne.

It was Wood’s performances opposed to North’s champion wingman Keith Greig, over the course of those two glorious seasons (1973-74), that underlined his true value to the Tigers.

Greig won the Brownlow Medal in 1973, and captured the game’s most prestigious individual award again in 1974.

He was a highly-skilled, beautifully-balanced player, who generated enormous drive for the Kangaroos.

Wood, however, rose to the occasion in superb style, when matched up on Greig.

In six head-to-head encounters, only once did Greig manage to pick up more than 20 disposals – and that was in the ’74 Grand Final, when he finished with 21 touches.

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The talented, tenacious Tiger thrived on the challenge of pitting himself against one of the competition’s elite players.

He was fully aware of the importance of negating Greig’s considerable influence, in order to significantly increase Richmond’s chances of beating the Roos.

That, more than anything, defined Bryan Wood’s worth to the triumphant Tigers of 1973-74.