Throughout 2025, we are transporting Richmond supporters back 60 years to what was a pivotal season in the Club’s history – 1965. Today we again delve into the archives of The Age newspaper, for this review by Greg Hobbs of the Tigers’ match against Carlton in Round 6 of the ’65 season.
The record books will show Carlton beating Richmond 8.13 to 6.9 – but that’s about all people will recall of the sloppy exhibition of football presented at Princes Park on Saturday.
The clash looked as if it would be one of the toughest and thrilling matches of the season, but instead it degenerated into 100 minutes of dreary play.
Carlton deserved to win. It scored convincingly in the ruck, had far more method in attack, and its defence teamed tightly to form a solid barrier.
The Tigers rallied with two quick goals in the last quarter, which left them only 12 points down, but they did not have the necessary ability to go on with the job.
The player to keep Richmond in sight of Carlton was centreman Bill Barrot, who repeatedly rammed the ball into attack.
Barrot, too good for Roger Hoggett, kicked three goals. He also gave his forwards countless opportunities, but most of them were wasted.
Pat Guinane failed badly at centre half-forward; flanker Don Davenport never got into the game, and full-forward Ross Warner was a big disappointment.
By contrast, the Blues had a more constructive forward line, which was given a touch of class with the four-goal effort of full-forward Jim Miller.
Most of Carlton’s forward moves stemmed from the powerful ruck play of John Nicholls, Sergio Silvagni and Ron Barassi.
The Tigers had nobody to match Nicholls, and with Silvagni showing his best form for the year, and Barassi always doing something, this division had a blending of strength, height and class.
Carlton’s Terry Board and Adrian Gallagher also had the better of the Richmond rovers.
Carlton has come up with an outstanding “find” in half-forward Brian Quirk.
His pace and anticipation disrupted Richmond’s defence and he kicked two goals.
Centre half-back Kevin Smith and Neil Busse defended strongly for the Tigers and were responsible for many hurried shots for goal by Carlton.
Without doubt Richmond’s most valuable asset is Barrot, but on Saturday it got to the stage where they expected him to do everything.
Carlton was far from impressive in victory, even thought it had winners on every line.
Smooth-flowing system was missing and too many of its attacking drives were disjointed and lacking real penetration.
Match details
Richmond 1.3 3.3 4.5 6.9 (45)
Carlton 3.4 3.8 6.12 8.13 (61)
Goals – Richmond: Barrot 3, Cameron, Gowers, Patterson
Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Barrot 26, Dimattina 18, A. Richardson 17, Jewell 15
Best players – Richmond: Barrot (best on ground), Busse, Smith, Dean
Goals – Carlton: Miller 4, Quirk 2, Board, Hall
Leading disposal-winners – Carlton: Silvagni 30, Stewart 25, Barassi 21, Nicholls 21, Gallagher 18
Best players – Carlton: Silvagni, Nicholls, Barassi, Goold, Crane, Miller
Attendance: 27,949
