To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1969 premiership, richmondfc.com.au is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2019 to follow the Punt Road path to that fabulous flag triumph. Today we take a look at Footy Week’s review of Richmond’s Round 2 match of the ’69 season against Collingwood at Victoria Park, by reporter Doug Mason, under the heading: “TIGERS CLAIM A SECOND VICTIM” . . .
“Richmond came from behind halfway through the last quarter to down a determined Collingwood. Key to the Tigers’ success was full-forward Rex Hunt, who kicked seven goals.
The Magpies lost because of their failure to score in the second quarter. After half-time they were a completely different side, with a brand new approach to the game.
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They piled on goals in a scintillating exhibition of cohesive teamwork. Inspired by skipper Des Tuddenham and assisted by Len Thompson’s great ruck work, they came back to take a one-point advantage.
There were many highlights, all after half-time. In fact, spectators at Victoria Park saw two different games.
The first half was crowded and scrambly with poor disposal, shoddy handball and miserable kicking for goal.
The second half featured all the best aspects of Australian Football – high marking, long kicking, and fine backing up.
Eighteen goals were scored after the long interval.
For the Tigers, Mike Green was a really good player – whether in defence or on the ball. He took 11 great marks.
Dick Clay relished his move to the centre. He was in everything all day and was a clear winner.
Kevin Bartlett was again unobtrusive, but very effective. When the game is over and the kicks counted, he is always among the very best.
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Kevin Sheedy has steadily developed into one of the best back pocket players in the VFL. He rarely makes a mistake and his determined clearing dashes are a real feature.
Full-back Barry Richardson had much the better of his duel with Peter McKenna, and the last quarter saw McKenna chasing kicks all over the ground.
The chess moves started before the ball was bounced.
Royce Hart lined up at centre half-forward for the Tigers and Hunt went to full-forward. Ted Potter was immediately switched on to Hart and Bruce Neave went to full-back.
The Neave move was to no avail because Terry Waters was moved on to the brilliant Hunt before the end of the first quarter and stayed there for the rest of the match.
Hunt was in great form, playing in front and taking many strong marks.
One of the real highlights came when Hunt, his kicking boot off, punted a 60-yard goal with his stockinged foot.
John Ronaldson again played well, and George McInnes, in his first full game, was a strong, fearless ruckman.
Collingwood coach Bob Rose made several moves in his bid for victory. Wayne Richardson went to the centre in the third quarter, but was not an influence on the game at any stage. Ross Dunne was moved to centre half-forward and immediately took control. His three great goals from equally good marks in the third term put Collingwood right back in business.
John Greening was far more effective as a rover-forward pocket player than as a centreman.
Len Thompson had a tremendous third term. He tore the Tiger rucks apart and seemed to get almost every hit-out.
But why did he spend nearly all the final quarter in the back pocket? Was this a defensive move by Rose or had Thompson run out of steam after his lion-hearted effort earlier?
Peter McKenna has fallen back into his old pattern of playing from behind. He must get in front of his man and use his height and strength to better advantage.”
Match details
Richmond 2.4 5.10 8.12 14.15 (99)
Collingwood 2.5 2.6 8.13 11.16 (82)
Goals – Richmond: Hunt 7, Hart, Moore, Northey, McInnes, Bartlett, Brown, Bond. Collingwood: McKenna 3, Ellis 3, Dunne 3, Tuddenham, Greening.
Best – Richmond: Hunt, Sheedy, B. Richardson, Clay, Bartlett, Green, Dean. Collingwood: Tuddenham, Waters, Dunne, Adamson, Greening, Potter, Thompson.
Crowd: 27,388 at Victoria Park
Richmond player statistics
Kevin Sheedy: 11 kicks, 6 handballs, 1 mark
Barry Richardson: 11 kicks, 3 handballs, 3 marks
John Ronaldson: 9 kicks, 2 handballs, 2 marks
Des McKenzie: 12 kicks, 4 handballs, 0 marks
Mike Perry (off): 3 kicks, 2 handballs, 1 mark
Roger Dean: 20 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks
John Perry (off): 5 kicks, 5 handballs, 2 marks
Dick Clay: 16 kicks, 2 handballs, 5 marks
Francis Bourke: 6 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks
John Northey: 9 kicks, 6 handballs, 2 marks
Royce Hart: 14 kicks, 2 handballs, 3 marks
Eric Moore: 11 kicks, 3 handballs, 6 marks
George McInnes: 6 kicks, 1 handball, 3 marks
Rex Hunt: 12 kicks, 1 handball, 6 marks
Billy Brown: 8 kicks, 2 handballs, 0 marks
Mike Green: 15 kicks, 2 handballs, 11 marks
Alan Richardson: 10 kicks, 8 handballs, 1 mark
Kevin Bartlett: 25 kicks, 4 handballs, 1 mark
Graeme Bond (19th man, on 2nd quarter): 7 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
Geoff Strang (20th man, on 4th quarter): 0 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
