Although Richmond’s first pick in the upcoming 2016 AFL National Draft isn’t until 27, that number selection produced one of the Tigers’ most valuable contributors of the modern league football era.
It was 29 years ago, in just the competition’s second National Draft in 1987, that Richmond chose a young, tall forward from the Tasmanian town of Burnie with its third pick – No. 27 overall – Brendon Gale.
The Tigers, in fact, had the prized first pick at the ’87 draft table after finishing last that year.
Unfortunately, they didn’t get a significant return from the player they took with the No. 1 pick – Richard Lounder.
The giant ruckman from South Australian club Central District spent only one season at Tigerland (in 1989) and managed just four senior appearances.
Richmond’s second selection in the 1987 National Draft (No. 14 overall) – Wayne Peters – went one better than Lounder, playing five senior games in two seasons with the Club.
But the inability of Lounder and Peters to make an impact at the game’s highest level was offset to a good degree by what Gale, at pick 27, was able to provide the Tigers with, following a frustrating start to his AFL career.
Gale had played senior football with Burnie Hawks in 1987, but was hampered by injuries and illness during his first couple of years at Punt Road and didn’t make his senior debut for Richmond until the opening round of the 1990 season, under the coaching guidance of Tiger ‘Immortal’ Kevin Bartlett.
He went on to play every game that season, and 21 of 22 in 1991, establishing himself as the team’s centre half-forward – a position he was well suited to, due to his marking ability, mobility, and long kicking.
Later on, Gale would be used by the Tigers in a relief ruck role, before eventually taking over the mantle as the team’s No. 1 ruckman.
Gale was a key member of Richmond’s 1995 finals campaign and also was acting captain in several games that season when skipper Tony Free was injured, including the memorable, come-from-behind semi-final win against Essendon.
As a forward, Gale was a strong focal point for the Tigers and a real handful for opposition sides to counter.
He scored a career-high 34 goals in the 1996 season, with a personal best of six against Fitzroy in Round 21 that year.
Six times in his 12 seasons of league football, Gale booted 20 goals or more, underlining his value as an attacking weapon for the Tigers.
And he’s also fondly remembered by the Tiger Army for the number of match-saving marks he took deep in defence, later on in his league career, when playing in the ruck.
Gale ended up with 244 games to his credit, which was the most by any player selected in the 1987 National Draft – ahead of Collingwood’s Graham Wright, 201 and Melbourne’s Stephen Tingay, 162.
He is now serving Richmond with distinction off-field, in his capacity as CEO – a role he’s held for the past seven years.
Overall history of the AFL’s No. 27 National Draft pick
1986 – Adam Garton, Brisbane Bears.
1987 – Brendon Gale, Richmond.
1988 – Rod Keogh, Melbourne.
1989 – Joel Saunders, Fitzroy.
1990 – Brad Davis, Fitzroy.
1991 – Terry M. Board – Brisbane Bears.
1992 – Kieran Murrihy – Essendon.
1993 – Brad Hall, Melbourne.
1994 – Toby Kennett, Adelaide.
1995 – Kane Johnson, Adelaide.
1996 – Troy Cook, Sydney.
1997 – Brad Stephens, North Melbourne.
1998 – Steven Baker, St Kilda.
1999 – Cain Ackland, Port Adelaide.
2000 – Ted Richards, Essendon.
2001 – Tom Davidson, Collingwood.
2002 – Darren D. Walsh – Essendon.
2003 – Adam Campbell – Fremantle.
2004 – Pat Garner, Brisbane Lions.
2005 – Dylan Addison, Western Bulldogs.
2006 – Brad Howard, St Kilda.
2007 – Andy Otten, Adelaide.
2008 – Sam Wright, North Melbourne.
2009 – Callum Bartlett, Brisbane Lions.
2010 – Kieran Harper, North Melbourne.
2011 – Sam Kerridge, Adelaide.
2012 – James Stewart, Greater Western Sydney.
2013 – Sean Lemmens, Gold Coast.
2014 – Lukas Webb, Western Bulldogs.
2015 – Darcy Tucker, Fremantle.
