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 match report by leading football writer Greg Hobbs of the Tigers’ Round 13 match of the ’65 season against Collingwood at the MCG.

Richmond fell in a heap against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, and was so down-trodden by the Magpies lustre and understanding it didn’t have the legs to get up.

Collingwood, proving once again it could rise to great football heights tore the heart out of the dispirited Tigers.

The Magpies completely bewildered Richmond in the second quarter when, in a dazzling five-minute burst, they added five goals.

This left Richmond almost helpless, and it never recovered, despite a face-saving effort in the last quarter when four goals were posted.

Collingwood won because it had a far fiercer desire to get the ball.

It made light work of the heavy, slippery ball, whereas the Tigers pottered about like a bunch of novices.

The pace, backing up and handball of Collingwood had all the polish of dry weather football.

The five-minute bombardment of the goal-front by Collingwood in the second quarter sealed the game, and during this stage Richmond’s defence was split wide open.

Robert Farmer started the run when he kicked accurately after being left unguarded.

Then Des Tuddenham, Ken Turner and Mick Bone snapped goals. A minute later Bone kicked another.

Collingwood’s attack played well. The return of Ian Graham – he started at full-forward and later went to centre half-forward – gave the forward line more bite.

Added to his Collingwood had match winners in rovers Dave Norman – he kicked five goals in a brilliant individual effort – and Mick Bone.

On the last line Richmond had magnificent workers in full-back Fred Swift and Neil Busse.

Bill Barrot failed, and without his drive from the centre Richmond could not get into operation.

Richmond’s attack had no method. Pat Guinane played only in patches, and so did forward-flankers John Northey and John Sheahan.

Biggest disappointment on the forward line was full-forward Mick Erwin, who was playing against his old side.

Erwin had a chance early in the first quarter to kick two goals.

He kicked out of bounds once, and with the other kick got only a point. Both chances were from deliberate shots close in.

Match details
Richmond    1.2    4.6    4.6    8.8 (56)    
Collingwood    3.1    8.3    11.4    12.7 (79)

Goals – Richmond: Crowe 2, Barrot, Bartlett, Davenport, Hammond, Hogan, Sheahan.
Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Dean 19, A. Richardson 19, Swift 19, Barrot 17.
Best players – Richmond: Swift, Busse, Crowe, Brown, A. Richardson.

Goals – Collingwood: Norman 5, Bone 2, Waters 2, Farmer, Tuddenham, Turner.
Leading disposal-winners – Collingwood: Bone 30, Norman 27, Turner 25, Gray 23, Tuddenham 20.
Best players – Collingwood: Norman, Turner, Bone, Tuddenham, Potter, Henderson, Graham.

Attendance: 56,360