Richmond has bestowed life membership upon 25 of its premiership players (past and present) and a flag-winning coach at a special function held at the Swinburne Centre, Punt Road Oval earlier today.
The Club amended its constitution at the 2017 Annual General Meeting held last December to enable all Tigers premiership players to receive life membership, regardless of number of games played.
As a result, 17 members of the 2017 premiership line-up – David Astbury, Nathan Broad, Dan Butler, Josh Caddy, Jason Castagna, Brandon Ellis, Jack Graham, Shaun Grigg, Dylan Grimes, Bachar Houli, Kane Lambert, Kamdyn McIntosh, Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Daniel Rioli, Jacob Townsend and Nick Vlastuin – plus coach Damien Hardwick, were granted life membership, together with eight Tiger premiership players from the past – Eric Moore (1969), Mike Bowden (1969), Craig McKellar (1973), Stephen Rae (1973), David Thorpe (1974), Daryl Cumming (1974), Cameron Clayton (1974) and Stephen Mount (1980).
Five members of the Tigers’ triumphant 2017 team – Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, Shane Edwards and Dustin Martin – already were life members of the Club.
The great deeds of the latest group of Richmond premiership players are well and truly fresh in the minds of the Yellow and Black faithful, but here’s a snapshot of those eight grand Tigers of Old . . .
Eric Moore – 80 games, 94 goals, 1966-1972
Moore was recruited by Richmond from Victorian country club Coleraine. Started his career with the Tigers as a centreman, but eventually found his niche in the senior side at full-forward. Played a key role in Richmond’s 1969 premiership campaign, kicking six goals in the ’69 first-semi demolition of Geelong, four in the preliminary final win against Collingwood and two in the Grand Final triumph over Carlton. Was a strong, courageous player with good skills.
Michael Bowden – 59 games, 20 goals, 1967-1971
Bowden, recruited from St Kevin’s College, was a ruck-rover, renowned for his ball-winning ability and intelligent use of handball. Was a valuable member of Richmond’s 1969 premiership side due to his capacity to bring teammates into the game through creative play. Three of his sons – Sean, Joel and Patrick – also went on to play senior football at Tigerland.
Craig McKellar – 96 games, 25 goals, 1971-1975
McKellar joined Richmond from SANFL club Woodville following a protracted clearance battle. He was a high-leaping ruckman, who earned an impressive reputation because of his ability to punch the ball forward a long way from either a centre bounce or boundary throw-in situation. Generated plenty of drive for the Tigers through his strong knock ruckwork. Was a member of Richmond’s 1973 premiership team and played in the Tigers’ 1972 Grand Final side.
Stephen Rae – 20 games, 11 goals, 1973-74
Rae started his league football career at St Kilda and was a member of the Saints’ 1971 Grand Final side, before transferring to Richmond. A half-forward, he produced some fine football throughout his short time at Tigerland. Was a clever, courageous player, with good speed, who used the ball intelligently. Played in Richmond’s 1973 premiership team.
David Thorpe – 27 games, 24 goals, 1974-76
Thorpe was a prized mature-age recruit for Richmond in 1974 following an excellent career at Footscray, where he had won two Best and Fairests and captained the club in 1973. A classy, aggressive, courageous, prolific ball-winning centreman, he was a key member of the Tigers’ 1974 premiership side.
Daryl Cumming – 88 games, 64 goals, 1971-1976
Cumming was recruited from South Mildura, which was in the Club’s country zone at the time. Spent much of his career at Tigerland in a forward pocket as roving back-up to Kevin Bartlett. Had great pace and good goal sense. Was a member of Richmond’s 1974 premiership side. Played in premiership teams in all three grades with the Tigers – under 19s, reserves and seniors.
Cameron Clayton – 57 games, 20 goals, 1974-77
Clayton, a strongly-built, talented, vigorous, utility player, was recruited from Tasmanian club New Norfolk. At just 17 years of age, he broke into the powerful Richmond line-up late in his debut season of league football in 1974 and was 19th man in the Tigers’ Grand Final win against North Melbourne.
Stephen Mount – 31 games, 9 goals, 1979-82
Mount was recruited from Tasmanian club Sandy Bay as a forward, but subsequently developed into a valuable key defender for Richmond, utilising his marking ability, kicking skills and strong tackling. Was centre half-back in the Tigers’ crushing 1980 Grand Final victory over Collingwood and played his role extremely well.
