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 look at Footy Week’s review of the Tigers’ Round 16 match in the ’69 season against Fitzroy. The clash took place at Princes Park on Saturday, August 2, 1969, before a crowd of 16,720. Here’s how Footy Week editor, Harry Beitzel, reviewed Richmond’s nine-point loss, under the heading: “End of the road for the Tigers” . . .
“Fitzroy dealt Richmond’s final-four prospects a death blow as they wenton their merry winning way at Princes Park. It was the Lions’ fourth straight victory – and they richly deserved it.
They beat the Tigers in every facet of the game. Certainly, they would have been desperately unlucky to have lost.
Kevin Murray’s boys virtually won the game in the first quarter when they slammed on five goals to Richmond’s one. The result was obvious by half-time.
Fitzroy had grand defenders in Peter Wood, who gave his best-ever effort at full-back, Bob Hodgkin, Colin Hobbs and Darryl Herrod.
With the exception of Royce Hart, Richmond’s forwards were pathetic. In fact, in the first quarter, the Tigers’ only winners were Hart, Francis Bourke on a wing, Kevin Sheedy in the backline and young Echuca centre half-back Ian Owen, who was slightly in front of Alex Ruscuklic.
The Tigers outscored Fitzroy seven goals to three in the second half, but they were spasmodic and the Lions were playing with confidence.
Skipper Murray was in everything after a quiet first half. He was ably assisted by Norm Brown, who became the outstanding ruckman on the ground in the second half.
Richmond fell down in every department – including enthusiasm, pace and desire to win the ball. They were outmarked, out-rucked and out-roved.
The statistics speak for themselves in the roving department. Tiger pair Kevin Bartlett and Bill Brown had 21 kicks between them, while Fitzroy’s John Murphy and John Newnham collected 47. Murphy took the honors with 28.
Mike Andrews was too good for Bill Barrot in the centre, although the Richmond man became a dangerous player when shifted to a half-forward flank.
Richmond were handball happy – and it cost them dearly.
It was like a Grand Final win for Fitzroy, who are on their way up the ladder.
Murphy was a damaging player with his three goals, Ruscuklic has improved since he has been playing in front and the whole half-forward line has more bite and purpose, thanks to flankers Daryl Peoples and Leigh Robertson.
Fitzroy are now looking forward to the remaining four games, especially its clashes against Essendon, Collingwood and Geelong.
The Tigers can only blame themselves for missing out on the final four.”
Match details
Richmond 1.1 1.5 4.7 8.9 (57)
Fitzroy 5.2 6.4 8.6 9.12 (66)
Goals – Richmond: Barrot 2, Bowden 2, Brown 2, Dean, Judd.
Best – Richmond: Sheedy, Hart, Clay, Bourke, Green, Barrot, Richardson.
Richmond player statistics
Kevin Sheedy: 20 kicks, 1 handball, 6 marks
Barry Richardson: 8 kicks, 1 handball, 3 marks
Colin Beard: 11 kicks, 0 handballs, 6 marks
Geoff Strang: 11 kicks, 4 handballs, 1 mark
Ian Owen: 10 kicks, 1 handball, 1 mark
John Ferguson: 2 kicks, 3 handballs, 2 marks
Francis Bourke: 19 kicks, 5 handballs, 2 marks
Bill Barrot: 20 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Dick Clay: 17 kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks
Roger Dean: 15 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 marks
Royce Hart: 19 kicks, 5 handballs, 7 marks
Wayne Judd: 6 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Mike Patterson: 6 kicks, 3 handballs, 0 marks
Rex Hunt (off): 4 kicks, 0 handballs, 1 mark
Billy Brown: 8 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark
Mike Green: 11 kicks, 2 handballs, 7 marks
Mike Bowden: 8 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 marks
Kevin Bartlett: 13 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
Tony Jewell (19th man): 2 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks
John Perry (20th man): 0 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks
