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 16 clash of the ’66 season against Geelong at the MCG via this match report that appeared in The Age newspaper by leading football writer Greg Hobbs.

"The biggest home and home game of the season at the MCG on Saturday turned out to be the biggest flop of the year, as Geelong made it a one-horse race to completely embarrass Richmond.

An electric atmosphere similar to finals games marked the opening, but mid-way through the first term Geelong jumped clear and never looked back.

When the final siren sounded, Richmond supporters had put up with 100 minutes of agony as the Tigers virtually waved goodbye to the finals.

For Geelong it was a triumphant result in every respect and a delicious entrée for things to come in the next few weeks on the MCG.

Richmond was out-paced, out-thought and out-played almost all day. The side’s only clear winner was wingman John Perry – the most inexperienced player on the ground.

Geelong controlled the rucks, won around the packs, had an almost water-tight defence and a real champion in centreman Denis Marshall.

By contrast, Richmond broke down everywhere. Its defence fell apart under pressure and it had very little semblance of method on the forward line.

There were some brilliant passages of play during the game, but mostly by Geelong. Its terrific pace and confidence among players often had Richmond running in all directions wondering what to do.

The player who drove the Cats to victory was centreman Marshall. And in doing so he beat a top player in Bill Barrot.

Marshall stayed at home as if he had one foot nailed to the centre circle. Barrot did the opposite, roamed far and wide, and paid dearly for it.

Statistics show Marshall had 27 kicks and Barrot 22, but every kick Marshall had was a telling one, while Barrot did little with his deliveries.

Marshall was left unguarded countless times and in the end even the Richmond supporters turned against Barrot. In the last quarter he was given an ironic cheer when he got a kick on the half-forward flank.

On the wings Richmond did get drive. Perry looked like a veteran as he outplayed Wayne Closter, and Kevin Bartlett battled hard to get the points against Tony Polinelli.

But that’s about where Richmond’s effectiveness ended.

Geelong received unlimited drive from Polly Farmer, and Bill Goggin, with his tremendous pace, was damaging around the packs.

The Tigers were lost in the following division, and to make matters worse their defence did not know how to hold Geelong’s repeated attacking moves.

Geoff Strang battled hard on a back flank, but the other two half-backs, Graeme Gahan and Kevin Smith, floundered too often against Ken Newland and John Sharrock.

Doug Wade kicked four goals against Mike Perry – he should have kicked more – and this last line for Richmond was saved from greater suffering by giant ruckman John Ronaldson’s strong marking.

Geelong’s defenders packed together in magnificent style. Vinar, Walker, West and Hosking hardly let a thing through, and at times were allowed to clear without any worthwhile opposition.

In the first 15 minutes the pace was really on as players threw themselves into packs as if their lives depended on the result.

But when Geelong follower John Newman kicked two goals in the space of a minute half way through the first quarter Richmond gradually dropped behind.

Geelong turned on the heat in the third quarter and by the last change had a winning lead. It did not score a goal in the last quarter, but still won easily by 34 points in a very impressive display.

Match details
Richmond   0.3   4.7   5.9   6.12 (48)    
Geelong   3.2   7.4   11.12   11.16 (82)

Goals – Richmond: Guinane 2, Bartlett, Dean, Erwin, Northey.
Leading possession-winners – Richmond: Dean 29, J. Perry 25, Barrot 24, Barlett 23, Cameron 22, Strang 18.
Best – Richmond: J. Perry, Bartlett, Dean, Ronaldson, Strang, Erwin.

Goals – Geelong: Wade 4, Farmer 2, Newman 2, Eales, Goggin, Marshall.
Leading possession-winners – Geelong: Marshall 31, Farmer 30, Goggin 28, Closter 23, Hosking 21, Newman 19.
Best – Geelong: Marshall (best on ground), Farmer, Goggin, Newland, Hosking, Vinar, Newman.

Attendance: 54,976