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.

We take a look today at the Tigers’ Round 7 clash of the ’66 season against Fitzroy at Brunswick Street Oval via this match report that appeared in The Age newspaper by Trevor Davis.

"Richmond took home the four premiership points on Saturday, but there were times when Fitzroy looked the better side and gave its supporters good reason to hope for an upset win.

In the final analysis it was only the Tigers’ greater physical strength, experience and the creativeness of a handful of players that swung the game.

Another factor was their ability to play out the full four quarters. 

It was noticeable in the final term that the Lions, as they have so often this season, faded slightly. This allowed Richmond to open up the game for the first time.

The Tigers then were able to move the ball around with greater purpose and system and found goals much easier to get.

Overall, Fitzroy did not have quite the same skill as Richmond, but while its stamina lasted, it offset this with great determination and enthusiasm.

This put a lot of pressure on the Tigers, particularly in the first three quarters and, at times, made them look an ordinary side.

Had Fitzroy possessed a player big and strong enough to curb Paddy Guinane, Richmond would have been in even more trouble.

Guinane was his side’s only really effective forward and his five goals, three in the third quarter, from tremendously powerful marks, were decisive.

Inter-state follower Neville Crowe carried the ruck burden almost single-handed for Richmond, and his effort, allied to the splendid roving of Frank Dimattina, was also of great value.

Although the Lions were well in the game for three quarters, due largely to the play of Lazarus and full-forward Cromarty, each of whom kicked five goals, they lacked the system to make scoring easy."

Match details
Richmond   3.2   5.6   11.8   15.12 (102)                    
Fitzroy   3.2   5.4   10.5   12.6 (78)

Goals – Richmond: Guinane 5, Dimattina 4, Dean 2, Bartlett, Brown, Clay, Crowe.
Leading possession-winners – Richmond: Barrot 27, Brown 27, Crowe 23, Dimattina 19, Dean 18, A. Richardson 18.
Best – Richmond: Dimattina (best on ground), Crowe, Guinane, Sheahan, Northey, Brown, Gahan.

Goals – Fitzroy: Cromarty 5, Lazarus 5, Brown, Corbett.
Leading possession-winners – Fitzroy: McCrae 24, Newnham 20, Brown 19, Lazarus 17.
Best – Fitzroy: Lazarus, Cromarty, Newnham, Brown, Hayes, McCrae, Eastman.

Attendance: 14,409