To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1973 premiership, Richmond Media is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2023 to follow the Punt Road path to that fabulous flag triumph. Today we feature a report from prominent football writer at The Age newspaper, Ron Carter, on a fiery Richmond intraclub practice match in the ’73 pre-season.

Two Richmond players, Wes Barrot and Stephen Parsons, have been reported for striking each other in the Tigers’ practice match on Saturday.

Two better known Richmond players, Kevin Sheedy and Ian Stewart, were lucky they did not have their numbers taken.

Sheedy and Stewart were involved in an incident early in the main practice game and had to be calmed down by team mates.

Sheedy, normally in the back pocket, was playing in the centre against Stewart . . .

Ruckman Brian Roberts, who marked well, was among the best players in Richmond’s main game.

Royce Hart also was in excellent form at centre half-forward.

Among new players to come under notice was Francis Jackson, a half-forward flanker who gave a courageous display against Francis Bourke.