In the fifth of a special 12-part series on richmondfc.com.au, where we set about building the perfect Tiger, our focus turns to the strongest players at Tigerland over the past half-century. Choose from these five powerhouses . . .
Bill Barrot, 120 games for Richmond, 1961-70.
Barrot was a pacesetter during his playing days, in terms of weight training. He worked diligently on building his body up, and turned into one of the competition’s most powerful players. That strength gave Barrot a crucial edge over opponents, enabling him to consistently win crucial one-on-one contests in his key role as the Tigers’ centreman, as well as the occasional times when he was shifted deep forward.
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Rex Hunt, 113 games for Richmond, 1968-74.
Hunt’s strong build was pivotal to his playing style. He used his bulk to full advantage in marking duels with opponents, initially as a key forward, and later, down back, with the Tigers. His ability to gain best position in those aerial contests, through sheer strength, meant he was very seldom outmarked.
David Cloke, 219 games for Richmond, 1974-82 and 1990-91.
It’s hard to believe that Cloke actually started life at Tigerland as a skinny half-forward. That was his position in Richmond’s 1974 Grand Final triumph over North Melbourne, but by the time the Tigers won their next premiership, in 1980, he was a powerhouse key forward. And, then, when he returned to Richmond a decade later, following a successful stint at Collingwood, Cloke was a robust ruckman.
Brian Taylor, 43 games for Richmond, 1980-84.
Taylor’s playing career with the Tigers might have been relatively brief, but he had a major impact playing at full-forward. That was, in no small way, due to his powerful build, which enabled him to repeatedly out-bustle hapless opposition full-backs, and take strong marks. Taylor clearly lived up to his football-inspired nickname of ‘Barge’.
Dustin Martin, 108 games for Richmond, 2010-14.
From day one in the AFL, raw strength has been the cornerstone of Martin’s game. Whether it’s been via his trademark ‘Don’t Argue’ fend-off, or elite ability to win crucial contests one-out against his opponent inside Richmond’s forward-50 area, and capitalise fully with clutch goals, Martin has proven to be an awesome force. He has earned a glowing reputation as the best attacking one-on-one player in the competition.
THE PERFECT TIGER SO FAR:
Kicking
Marking
Handballing
Speed
