The 1969 Year Book

Heading: Dick Clay Is Good Value

“The wheel of football fortune played a strange trick on up-and-coming Tiger star, who shines on the big MCG.

He was recruited as a centre half-forward and yet has played wing for most of his football with Richmond.

And this, despite the fact that veteran Footscray captain-coach Ted Whitten described Clay as a goof forward.

Richmond had to win a lengthy, wordy battle with North Melbourne to secure Clay, previously the top forward in the Goulburn Valley League.

With Richmond, Clay has had the thrill of playing before huge MCG crowds and appearing in a premiership side.

There’s no doubt that the Richmond selectors made the right move when they turned Clay into a wingman.

In that position, he has represented Victoria, and last year he won the club second best and fairest award.

For Richmond, Clay is an ideal wingman. He is tall, strong, fast, and a long kick. And he can take an exceptionally good mark.

Clay can play a double game. He can feed his forwards with well-directed passes, or long kicks, or sometimes he can kick goals himself.

As a former star forward, Clay has great goalsense. If he breaks away, and finds his forwards covered, he doesn’t hesitate to have a shot himself.

Clay is just starting to reach his prime with Richmond. He’s going to become better and better.”

From “The Tigers” match-day magazine of August 1969

Heading: Dick Clay Is Popular With Tiger Supporters

“Wingman Dick Clay, one of the most popular players in the side, has an army of loyal fans – and he deserves them.

Clay is great value for the supporters because he is always doing something or trying to do something.

He can be a dashing player, but he never loses sight of his main objective to keep the ball moving towards the forwards.

Clay in full flight is a thrilling sight. A tall wingman, he is a magnificent kick under pressure and can take a thrilling mark.

Even against the League’s top wingmen, Clay rarely lowers his colors.

Although he can be beaten, he is rarely disgraced, because he keeps going his hardest.

Richmond supporters, who have seen Clay in all games this year, know how much he means to the side, and the amount of drive he generates.

Some well-known football commentators already have named him as “a dark horse” for this year’s Brownlow Medal, and he could poll well.

Clay has been a consistent player this season. He has had a few quiet day but has never disappeared out of the game completely.

His main value to the side is his ability to play on quickly, and constructively, so that the opposition are put on the defensive.

A typical Clay piece of play is a thrilling mark, a quick recovery, a sharp dash to become balanced, and then a long kick.

Clay, a former top country forward, is one of the best kicks in the team, especially on the run.

His outstanding qualities make him an invaluable player on the wide spaces of the MCG.

Clay can pass the ball a long distance with remarkable accuracy, and he is not scared to have a shot at goal himself, if he realises that his forwards are covered.

Although best known as a wingman, Clay could hold down most key positions if required. He has already performed capably at centre half-forward and in the centre.

It has been noticeable in the “Why I Like The Tigers” competition this year, that Clay has a great attraction for youngsters.

Contestant after contestant praised his kicking and marking. All named him as a star player – and they were right.”

From the 1976 Year Book

“A special tribute must be paid to Richard Clay who has been one of the finest players the Club has produced.

He has played in nearly every position on the field and, like his former famous wing partner, Francis Bourke, has had a career of many stanzas.

In their youth, they were thrilling centreline players; later Francis earned further game in defence.

Dick switched to the forward line with distinction then capped his marvellous career of achievement by gaining recognition as a champion full-back.

In all Richard, the star full-forward originally from Kyabram, has played in over 220 senior games including representative matches for Victoria.

Ironically, one of the best performances he gave the Tigers was not seen by many fanatical supporters as it was in the 1973 Australian Club Championship against WA club Subiaco.

Under-manned because of many injuries to star players including Hart, Bourke, Stewart and Green, it was vital Dick play well.

His was a performance to remember in a game we won narrowly; he did not let the Tigers down.”