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 the Tigers’ Round 10 match in the ’69 season against St Kilda. The clash took place at the MCG on Saturday, June 7, 1969, before a crowd of 44,710. Here’s how Footy Week scribe Tom Lahiff reported on Richmond’s 14-point win, under the heading: “TIGERS ARE BACK ON THE PROWL”.
“Richmond never really looked in danger against St Kilda at the MCG. They were faster than the Saints, stronger in the air, their teamwork was better and they had a fierce desire to get the ball.
The Tigers have only a shadow of their 1967 Premiership line-up, but for once they chose the right players in the right positions.
And every man answered the call and gave his very best for 100 minutes.
I thought St Kilda chose a wet-weather line-up.
Their forward line in the early stages was a one-man affair. I go along with Alan Davis at full-forward on a wet day, but in good conditions they need a big, strong player – and one who can hold a mark – in front of goals.
The Saints’ kicking lacked distance and they were constantly trailing in the race to the ball.
Richmond were strong across the half-forward line. Dick Clay had too much pace for Ian Synman and Wayne Judd and John Northey were a handful for Jim O’Dea and John O’Donnell.
The Tigers’ winning margin would have been much greater, but for some grand work in the last line of defence by Stephen Roberts, who took the honors against Rex Hunt and Gary Colling.
Richmond centreline players Graeme Bond and Kevin Sheedy won a lot of kicks and had much the better of Stuart Trott, Glen Elliott and Jeff Moran. The Saints tried three different centremen, but got no drive.
Tiger defenders Francis Bourke, Barry Richardson, Geoff Strang, Ron Thomas and Ian Owen kept the pressure on all day, and Barry Lawrence, Davis, Kevin Neale and Ian Cooper were unable to break clear.
Davis did much better when shifted from full-forward to centre half-forward.
Brian Mynott won many hit-outs, but Mike Green’s strong marking around the ground and long kicking made him the best ruckman afield.
The pace of Bill Brown and Keith Smythe was too much for Ross Smith, who did most of the roving for St Kilda. I thought John Bonney should have been used more.
I’d hate to be a full-forward or full-back when the ball is being bounced in the centre. Barry Richardson and Alan Davis were not within shouting distance of the rest of the players. The centre area was far too congested and as a result there were countless scrimmages.
Richmond won the game because they positioned their men well.
St Kilda, on the other hand, had too many players in the wrong positions. I think some of them got lost.”
Match details
Richmond 5.3 8.6 13.7 14.10 (94)
St Kilda 3.3 6.7 8.9 11.14 (80)
Goals – Richmond: Hunt 3, Bond 2, Clay 2, Green 2, Brown, Judd, Northey, Sheedy, Smythe.
Best – Richmond: Green, Bond, Clay, Sheedy, B. Richardson, Bourke, Thomas, Smythe.
Richmond player stats
Ian Owen: 10 kicks, 1 handball, 1 mark
Barry Richardson: 19 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 marks
Tony Jewell: 14 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks
Geoff Strang: 8 kicks, 2 handballs, 2 marks
Francis Bourke: 14 kicks, 2 handballs, 4 marks
Ron Thomas: 10 kicks, 2 handballs, 4 marks
Derek Peardon (off): 2 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
Kevin Sheedy: 23 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Graeme Bond: 18 kicks, 4 handballs, 4 marks
John Northey: 8 kicks, 7 handballs, 2 marks
Dick Clay: 15 kicks, 2 handballs, 8 marks
Wayne Judd: 15 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark
George McInnes: 6 kicks, 0 handballs, 3 marks
Rex Hunt: 6 kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks
Billy Brown: 7 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark
Michael Green: 20 kicks, 3 handballs, 14 marks
Michael Bowden: 10 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks
Keith Smythe: 20 kicks, 2 handballs, 4 marks
Brenton Miels (off): 5 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks
John Ronaldson: 4 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
