On October 1, 1932, a then-record crowd of 69,724 flocked to the MCG in ideal conditions to watch Richmond defeat Carlton by nine points in the Grand Final.

After being runners-up four times in the previous five seasons, the Tigers finally went that one step further to secure their third premiership victory.

1932 Grand Final details

Richmond 3.3 7.9 8.12 13.14 92
Carlton 2.3 5.6 7.11 12.11 83

Goals: J.Titus 2, J.Anderson, P.Bentley, F.Heifner, M.Hunter, T.O’Halloran, D.Strang, G.Strang
Best Players: G.Strang, McCormack, O'Neill, Baggott, Bolger, Titus, Martin.

The 1932 premiership team

1932 Grand Final review

This game was played in fine weather before a crowd of 69,724 people. Richmond went into this game without the services of Jack Dyer, who was injured prior to the finals. Before the game, Richmond coach ‘Checker’ Hughes stressed the importance of a Premiership to the club. Richmond had been runners-up four times in five years. He stressed that people would start to think Richmond were losers and perpetual bridesmaids. His pep talk got the Tigers off to a determined start. Richmond won the toss and kicked into a slight breeze in the opening quarter. The Tigers scored majors through Hunter, D.Strang and Heifner to lead by a goal at the first change, after having the majority of the play.

During the second quarter, some strong buffeting tactics by the Tiger defence helped to set up a 15-point lead at the main break.

In the third quarter the game developed into a fiery encounter with Carlton reducing the Richmond lead to just 7 points by three-quarter time. The Tigers continued to maintain physical pressure on their opponents in the hope Carlton would wilt.

In the last quarter, Bentley goaled for Richmond after receiving a pass from Zschech. Carlton replied with two quick goals to their champion full-forward Harry Vallance. It was goal-for-goal as O’Halloran for Richmond goaled; however, Carlton answered back through Vallance. Then former Richmond player, Street, snapped a goal from the goal square to give Carlton the lead by 5 points. Richmond replied through Doug Strang. With only five minutes to play, Richmond attacked and a fumble by Carlton full-back Frank Gill saw the ball spill free and allow 19th man Jack Anderson to gather he loose ball and goal. The Tigers attacked from the bounce through Zschech who found Titus and he goaled. Geddes hit the post with a shot on the run just before the siren to give Richmond the Premiership by nine points.

Two of Richmond’s unsung heroes were full-back, Maurie Sheahan, who broke even with Carlton’s champion spear-head, Harry Vallance, and half-back, Basil McCormack, who blanketed brilliant half-forward, Keith Shea. 

This game turned out to be the last time ‘Checker’ Hughes coached Richmond, although he later became a Premiership coach with Melbourne.

1932 newspaper
Click to enlarge