Throughout 2026, we are cranking up the Tigerland time machine and transporting yellow and black barrackers back to 1966 to relive a pivotal year in Richmond’s history.  

Our focus today is on the Tigers’ big win against a combined Ovens and Murray League team during the ’66 pre-season, highlighted by particularly impressive performances from a couple of key-position players. Here is the report by The Age chief football writer at the time, Percy Beames.

“Former Collingwood captain Murray Weideman helped solve one of Richmond’s most pressing positional worries when the Tigers played a combined Ovens and Murray team at Wangaratta yesterday.

Weideman, still a star in country football, failed to score a goal against Bill Walford, whom the Tigers are grooming for full-back.

Now that Walford has proved his worth against Weideman, the former schoolboy star has only to reproduce this form next week to win the full-back job for the opening match against Carlton.

Walford, 18, 6ft. 3in. and 14st. 7lb., covered Weideman in marking duels and once the ball hit the ground was too far and agile.

The Tigers were far too accomplished for a depleted Ovens and Murray side and won without ever being seriously extended, 21.34 to 7.9.

Next to the good showing by Walford, the best point to come out of the Richmond display was the form of Ross Warner at centre half-forward.

Richmond’s original plan was to use Warner at centre half-back, but this scheme had to be scrapped when Mick Erwin broke down with cartilage trouble. 

Warner left little doubt that he can pull his weight as a centre half-forward by dominating the position against three opponents yesterday.

Former Hawthorn forward and defender Ron Critchley was one of the players outclassed by Warner.

Last year’s full-back Fred Swift continues to prove that he can get goals as a full-forward, but he spoilt a lot of his effectiveness by kicking inaccurately.

Swift kicked 5.9 for the day and some of his misses were from point-blank range.

In three practice matches, Swift has totalled 15 goals, and it seems certain he will be named as the spearhead for the opening game.

The roving battle was not clarified despite Peter Hogan’s prominence. A lot of Hogan’s best work was done in the forward pocket, where he kicked most of his five goals.

Frank Dimattina, Kevin Bartlett and Barry Teague all roved well in patches.

Pat Guinane stood out amongst the big men and obviously is in for a good season.”