Throughout 2025, we are transporting Richmond supporters back 60 years to what was a pivotal year in the Club’s history – 1965. Today, we look at the Tigers’ big victory over Fitzroy in the post-season night series competition at the Lake Oval, for teams that missed the final four. Here is the match report that appeared in The Age newspaper by Greg Hobbs.

Richmond swung into top gear after quarter-time to crush Fitzory in last night’s football match at South Melbourne.

Rain started falling soon after quarter-time and, as the ground became heavier, Richmond went from strength to strength to run out winners by 65 points.

Fitzroy showed patches of brilliant football in the first half, but it could not match the overall strength and dazzling handball of Richmond.

Richmond gained match-winning drive from rovers Frank Dimattina and Peter Hogan. They were unchallenged around the packs and sparked most of Richmond’s attacks.

Fitzroy was weakened in the roving department when Ian McCrae had to pull out of the selected side because of a stomach upset.

Ruckman Alan Richardson picked up three goals for the Tigers during the second quarter.

Pat Guinane kicked two before half-time, and half-forward John Northey, although restricted, managed two goals.

Richmond lost centreman Bill Barrot at half-time through injury, but this did not stop the Tigers from going into attack consistently, because of openings created by handball on Richmond’s forward line.

Young Fitzroy full-forward Russ Cromarty kicked three goals in his first game. He did not have a lot of chances, but every time he got the ball, he made the most of it.

Match details

Richmond 3.5 8.8 14.11 18.14 (122)

Fitzroy 1.3 4.4 6.7 8.8 (56)

Goals – Richmond: Hogan 4, A. Richardson 3, Bartlett 2, Guinane 2, Northey 2, Sheahan, Davenport, Jewell, Crowe, Dimattina.

Best players – Richmond: Dimattina, Hogan, A. Richardson, Busse, Gowers, Sheahan.

Goals – Fitzroy: Cromarty 3, Rogerson, Calverley, Brown, Dawson, Hepper.

Best players – Fitzroy: Rogerson, Booth, Hayes, Fry, Bond, Slocum.

Attendance: 19,500.