In the third of a special 12-part series on richmondfc.com.au, where we set about building the perfect Tiger, our focus turns to the best exponents of handball at Tigerland over the past half-century. Make your selection from these extremely handy players . . .
Alan Richardson – 103 games for Richmond, 1959-69. Averaged 8.9 handballs per game, with an RFC career-high 15 (three times).
Strongly-built ruck-rover ‘Bull’ Richardson resurrected his career at Tigerland in the mid-60s by becoming a handball expert. The father of modern-day Tiger great Matthew Richardson was a handballing pioneer. He used handball as an attacking weapon, and played a pivotal role in Richmond’s drought-breaking 1967 premiership side, through his creativity by hand, which greatly enhanced the Tigers’ running game.
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Michael Bowden – 59 games for Richmond, 1967-71. Averaged 8.6 handballs per game, with a career-high 15 (four times).
Bowden, who took over from Richardson as ruck-rover in Richmond’s line-up, also based his game around handball. The father of dual Jack Dyer Medallist Joel Bowden used quick, efficient handball to free up teammates in open space. He was a valuable contributor in the Tigers’ 1969 Grand Final triumph over Carlton, firing out nine of the team’s total of 34 handballs.
Kevin Sheedy – 251 games for Richmond, 1967-79. Averaged 4.6 handballs per game, with a career-high 18.
After initially establishing himself with the Tigers as a feisty back pocket, Sheedy went on to become one of the premier ruck-rovers in the competition, with handball an integral part of his football armory. Such was Sheedy’s interest in moving the ball quickly and efficiently by hand, he invented the rocket handball, which spun like a drop punt, and could be delivered with significantly greater speed and accuracy.
Dale Weightman – 274 games for Richmond, 1978-93. Averaged 9.9 handballs per game, with a career-high 28.
Weightman was one of the most gifted players to ever pull on the famous Yellow and Black guernsey. Right at the top of Weightman’s impeccable skills set, was his exceptional handball ability. ‘The Flea’ consistently delivered the ball with perfect precision to teammates, via either hand, during his decorated playing career at Richmond. He set up numerous goals for the Tigers through his slick, quick, handball.
Paul Broderick – 169 games for Richmond, 1994-01. Averaged 9.2 handballs per game, with an RFC career-high 25.
Broderick provided Richmond with excellent service, after being traded from Fitzroy in late 1993. Utterly professional and unselfish in his approach to the game, Broderick made teammates look good, through his sublime delivery of the ball. Handball was his preferred method of ‘leather’ transportation, and he used it to utmost effect for the Tigers, cutting opposition teams to shreds in the process.
THE PERFECT TIGER SO FAR:
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