The more things change, the more they stay the same . . .

If you wanted further proof of the validity of that old saying, here is a classic example from an historic Tigerland viewpoint.

Way back in 1933, Keith Manzie, a columnist for Melbourne magazine ‘Table Talk’ (and the son of former Richmond secretary and Club life member Andrew Manzie), attended a Tigers’ training session at Punt Road midway through that season.

Manzie interviewed several members of the Club’s playing group, as well as coach Billy Schmidt.

WHAT'S YOUR FINAL 5? Attend any five of our last seven games at the 'G

It was what Schmidt had to say, in his chat with Manzie, that I found so fascinating, when undertaking some recent historic Richmond research.

Schmidt, who had been a star player for the Tigers from 1908-11, and Club captain in 1910, strongly expressed to Manzie his major concerns for the direction that VFL football was taking.

“The men who have never played the game have spoilt it,” Schmidt said.

“We had a wonderful game, but they just couldn’t resist meddling with it until they’d ruined it.

“The game’s too crowded and there’s too little science in it.

“Collingwood is the only team today playing the brand of football the public want; the systematic, open style which is the feature of our code. Kicking up in the air and trusting to luck is not football.

“To revive the game in all its old glory, the League must do one of two things. Bring back the old throw-in or else reduce the number of players in a team to 12 or 14. Without the old rule, the rucks only tend to crowd the game.

“It’s only crash football today, and most of its finer points are lost.”

Schmidt guided Richmond into the 1933 Grand Final, in what was to be his only season as coach, but it lost to South Melbourne by 42 points.