Richmond is mourning the passing of Club stalwart and one of its 1967 premiership heroes, Paddy Guinane, at 80 years of age.

Guinane was Richmond’s oldest living premiership player having been a key member and vice-captain of the Tigers’ team that defeated Geelong in the ‘67 Grand Final, breaking a 24-year, Yellow and Black flag drought.

Born and bred in Richmond, Guinane, whose father Dan had played 103 games with the Club, made his senior league debut for the Tigers in Round 13 of the 1958 season against Footscray at Western Oval.

He started his career at Tigerland as a ruckman and defender, but developed into an imposing key forward, winning the Club’s leading goalkicker award twice – in 1966 with 50 goals and 1968 with 41 goals.

Guinane’s highest goal tally in a match during his time with the Tigers was eight against Collingwood in Round 12 of the 1968 season and he kicked four goals or more on 21 occasions.

All-up, Guinane played 146 games and kicked 216 goals for Richmond in a fine, decade-long career from 1958-68.

He finished runner-up in the Tigers’ Best and Fairest award in 1962, was third in 1965, and received life membership of the Club in 1967.

Strong marking and robust body use were a feature of Guinane’s game and when he was on song, he was a nightmare for opposing defenders to curb.

Guinane was an extremely popular figure at Tigerland through his infectious enthusiasm and great passion for the Club.

After retiring from league football at the end of the 1968 season, Guinane went on to have successful playing stints with VFA clubs Dandenong and Caulfield, before returning to Richmond in a recruiting role during the mid-1970s and then taking over as coach of the under-19s team.

He subsequently coached the reserves for a couple of seasons, was chairman of selectors for Tony Jewell in the 1980 premiership year and Francis Bourke in 1982, and later served on the Club’s board of directors.

The Club sends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Paddy, who was such a wonderful servant of his beloved Tigers.