Four key members of Richmond premiership teams coached by Tommy Hafey, who passed away early this week, aged 82, have shared their thoughts on the Tiger ‘Immortal’ in a special ‘Roar Vision’ feature.

Michael Green, who played in all four Richmond premiership sides that Hafey coached (1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974), outlined the major factor involved in his coaching success with the Tigers.

“Tommy was such a good coach, in my view, because Tommy was a do as I do person, not necessarily a do as I say person,” Green said.

“We had the greatest respect for Tommy, because everything he wanted us to do, he did himself, only with greater determination, greater dedication, greater application.

“I think Tommy’s key ingredient was that respect he had from the players, because we saw the application and the dedication and determination that he applied to everything he did.

“Tommy did himself what he wanted us to do.”

Francis Bourke, who like Hafey, is a Richmond ‘Immortal’, and also a member of those four triumphant Tommy-led Tiger premiership teams, made special mention of the coaching great’s capacity to cultivate unity within the group.

“He was able to relate to everyone.  He and Maureen (his wife) were a formidable duo in building relationships,” Bourke said.

“In the end, players played not only for themselves, but they also played for Tommy.”

Barry Richardson, a member of the 1967, 1969 and 1974 Richmond premiership sides, rated Hafey’s revolutionary fitness focus, as a vital element in his 70% winning strike-rate during his time as the Tigers’ coach.

“He was the first coach to introduce Wednesday night training . . . A lot of his coaching peers thought the players will burn out.  But I think that we, as a group, gained confidence from that,” Richardson said.

“We always felt we were fitter and stronger than the opposition and that’s probably one of the reasons why Tommy, I think, was so successful.”

Robert McGhie, who played in Richmond’s 1973-74 back-to-back premiership sides, thrived on the atmosphere that Hafey fostered at Tigerland.

“It was a pretty big family, a pretty tight-knit family.  That’s what Tommy created . . . and that’s why we were successful,” McGhie said.

“Success means a lot in your footy career.  To be around for 10-15 years and not have any – that was going to be me in the 60s and early 70s at the Bulldogs.

“I’m glad that Tommy and Graeme (Richmond) became a part of my sporting life.

“They made it special – very, very special.

“I’ll never forget those two people.”