Scott Turner is Richmond’s next Homecoming Hero for the 2016 season.

The Tigers will pay tribute to Turner during the pre-game build-up at this Saturday afternoon’s Round 17 clash with Essendon at the MCG.

Turner, who played 144 games and kicked 33 goals during a decade-long career from 1990-1999 with Richmond, will walk to the Punt Road end of the ground to be warmly welcomed by the Tiger Army.

Get all the match day information for Saturday afternoon's match against Essendon at the MCG

He’ll kick a ceremonial goal, then sign the football and present it to a Richmond fan in the crowd.

Highlights of Turner playing career with the Tigers also will be shown on the MCG’s screens.

Scott Turner, who originally played for Victorian country club Ararat, was recruited by Richmond via the AFL’s mid-season draft back in 1990.

He’d had a brief stint at Melbourne, playing in the under 19s and reserves, as well as two senior night games, before joining the Tigers.

Turner made his senior league debut with Richmond in the opening round of 1991, against St Kilda at Waverley Park, and went on to play all 22 senior games that season, winning the Club’s Best First Year Player award.

Although predominantly a full-back, Turner also was effectively used by the Tigers at times as a forward.

In Round 17 of the 1992 season, against North Melbourne at Princes Park, he kicked what was to be a league career-high five goals playing at centre half-forward.

His most famous stint up forward, however, came in Richmond’s rousing 1995 cut-throat semi-final victory over Essendon at the MCG.

With the Tigers trailing by five goals at half-time, Turner was switched from his customary full-back role to the forward line by coach John Northey, in a bid to provide the team with some much-needed impetus.

The move worked like a charm . . .

Turner put the wind right up the Bombers through his strong physical presence.

He ironed out star Bomber backman Gary O’Donnell with a bone-jarring, hip-and-shoulder bump.  O’Donnell had to be stretchered from the field and took no further part in the match.

And, Turner also kicked two inspirational goals that were crucial in Richmond’s stirring fightback.

Earlier that season, Scotty Turner achieved something that precious few league full-backs were able to manage . . .

He kept champion Hawthorn full-forward Jason Dunstall goalless in the Round 18 encounter at the MCG, which the Tigers won by 44 points.

It was sweet revenge for Turner and Richmond, after Dunstall had kicked a staggering 17 goals, when the two teams met three years earlier (Round 7, 1992 at Waverley Park).

Unfortunately, following seven operations in a determined effort to fix persistent knee problems, Turner was forced to retire from league football at age 29.

Although understandably disappointed he couldn’t continue playing for Richmond at the game’s highest level, Turner had every reason to be well satisfied with what he’d accomplished throughout his time with the Tigers.

Turner had provided the Club with excellent service, and was regarded with the utmost respect by teammates, coaches and fans alike.

He was a cult hero of the Tiger Army, who loved his aggression, straight-ahead style of play, and thumping, long kicks out of defence.

In full flight, Scott Turner was one of Richmond’s finest full-backs of the modern-day football era.

He could invariably be relied upon to take care of business in the Tigers’ backline.

Scott Turner profile
Born: 31/5/1970    
Height: 197cm   
Playing weight: 97kg 
Recruited to Richmond from: Melbourne reserves
Guernsey number at Richmond: No. 41
Debut at Richmond: 1991
Games at Richmond (1991-1999): 144   
Goals at Richmond: 33
Honours at Richmond: Winner of the Club’s Best First Year Player award in 1991 

Previous Homecoming Heroes: