On this day 90 years ago (Saturday, October 1, 1932) Richmond won its third VFL premiership, defeating arch-rival Carlton in an epic Grand Final encounter. Here’s how it happened . . .
Richmond, under the coaching guidance of dual premiership player Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes, won 14 of its 18 home-and-away matches in the 1932 season to finish in second place on the ladder behind Carlton.
The Blues, with Richmond’s 1920-21 premiership captain-coach Dan Minogue calling the shots as coach, were flag favourites, but the Tigers, with star players such as captain Percy Bentley, Jack Titus, Ray Martin, Allan Geddes, Basil McCormack and the Strang brothers, Gordon and Doug, within the ranks, bared their claws in the second semi-final, defeating them by 25 points to qualify for the Grand Final.
Carlton, however, earned another crack at Richmond in the Grand Final by beating Collingwood in the preliminary final.
The premiership-decider of 1932 was played at the MCG in fine weather before a then record Grand Final crowd of 69,724.
Richmond went into the big game without the services of young star Jack Dyer, who had been injured midway through the season.
Before the match, coach Checker Hughes emphasised the importance of a premiership to the Tigers given the fact they had been runners-up four times in the previous five years.
He stressed that they would be tagged as losers and perpetual bridesmaids if they could not win the flag this time.
His pep talk got the team off to a solid start.
After winning the toss and kicking into a slight breeze in the opening quarter, Richmond scored goals through Maurie Hunter, Doug Strang and Fred Heifner to lead by a goal at the first change after having the majority of the play.
During the second quarter, some robust buffeting tactics by the Tigers’ defence helped to set up a 15-point lead at the main break.
In the third quarter, the game developed into a fiery encounter with Carlton reducing the Richmond lead to just seven points at three-quarter time. The Tigers were continuing to maintain physical pressure on their arch-rivals in the hope they would wilt.
In the last quarter, Richmond captain Percy Bentley goaled after receiving a pass from centreman Eric Zschech.
Carlton subsequently replied with two quick goals from its star full-forward Harry Vallance.
It was goal-for-goal, as Tom O’Halloran goaled for the Tigers before the Blues answered back through Vallance.
Then, former Richmond player Charlie Street snapped a goal from the goal square to give Carlton a five-point advantage.
The Tigers, however, responded with another goal from Doug Strang, his fourth for the match.
In the time-on period of the final term, Richmond attacked and a fumble by Carlton full-back Frank Gill saw the ball spill free and enabling the Tigers’ 19th man Jack Anderson to gather the loose ball and goal.
The Tigers attacked from the bounce through Zschech who found Jack Titus, and he coolly slotted through the premiership-sealing goal.
Allan Geddes hit the post with a shot on the run just before the siren to give Richmond a nine-point Grand Final triumph.
Gordon Strang, superb throughout the four quarters for Richmond at centre half-forward, was acknowledged as the best player afield.
Two of the Tigers’ unsung heroes were full-back Maurie Sheahan, who broke even with Carlton’s spearhead Vallance and half-back, Basil McCormack, who blanketed brilliant Blues half-forward Keith Shea.
It was the last time Checker Hughes coached Richmond, although he later became a flag-winning coach with Melbourne.
1932 Grand Final details
Richmond 3.3 7.9 8.12 13.14 (92)
Carlton 2.3 5.6 7.11 12.11 (83)
Goals – Richmond: D. Strang 4, Titus 2, Anderson, Bentley, Heifner, Hunter, O’Halloran, D.Strang, G.Strang.
Best players – Richmond: G.Strang, McCormack, O'Neill, Baggott, Bolger, Titus, Martin.
1932 Richmond premiership team
B: M. Bolger, M. Sheahan, K. O’Neill
HB: J. Baggott, J. Murdoch, B. McCormack
C: S. Judkins, E. Zschech, A. Geddes
HF: J. Twyford, G. Strang, J. Titus
F: F. Heifner, D. Strang, M. Hunter
R: P. Bentley, T. O’Halloran, R. Martin
Reserve: J. Anderson
