In the fourth part of a special 1972 Richmond Annual Report flashback series leading into the Club’s 2022 Annual General Meeting, we reproduce then president Al Boord’s review of the ’72 season.
President’s Addendum
Everybody associated with the Club suffered great disappointment over the result of the 1972 Grand Final which we had been most hopeful of winning, particularly after the fine performances of the team in the other finals matches. I cannot speak too highly of the tremendous efforts by the coaches, players, committee and staff and voluntary workers throughout the season – winning the flag would have been a fitting reward.
Now we must set our minds and work towards a more successful outcome in 1973.
Despite the disappointment over our loss to Carlton, it will be appreciated by all that the Club had a most successful season. Reference is made elsewhere in this Report to the successful performances of our various senior and junior teams, but I particularly wish to refer to the winning of the VFL Club Championship, which carries with it possession for 12 months of the Dr. W.C. McClelland Shield. This was, in itself, a fine achievement, and reflects great credit on the work of the coaches and match committee.
Once again, Tom Hafey proved himself as an outstanding coach and we are very happy that he will again be the senior coach in 1973.
SUMMER SESSIONS Celebrate the festive season with an open training session in Cardinia Shire
Tom was ably assisted by Col Saddington, and Ray Jordon did an excellent job with the Under 19 team.
The Club owes a great deal to its Secretary, Alan Schwab, for any success it has achieved. Alan, an untiring worker, is an outstanding young football administrator and his value to the Club cannot be over-emphasised. He has been sought by other clubs who have offered big inducements to him, but Alan has remained loyal to Richmond, and we hope he will be with the Club for many years to come.
With the trend towards professionalism in VFL football advancing year by year, the Club committee feels it is essential to our future well-being to learn and study the methods adopted by clubs in the large soccer and gridiron leagues in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and for this purpose, Alan Schwab is being sent on a study tour to the U.K. and the west coast of America.
He will leave Melbourne late in December and will be back for the start of training early in February.
Financing the cost of operation of a VFL club is today the greatest problem facing any of the committees. It is now in the class of Big Business and we can no longer afford to depend on the “horse and buggy” methods of seeking donations from generous supporters, and raising funds from “special efforts” to meet our commitments.
It is a fact that the Club’s share of the money flowing into VFL football is totally inadequate and the VFL should and must review this position.
It seems anomalous to have a magnificent “show-piece” at Waverley whilst 10 of the clubs’ grounds offer extremely poor conditions to supporters. Public support undoubtedly will wane if action is not taken to improve facilities, particularly in outer ground areas, and funds must be provided for this purpose.
In conclusion, I wish to record my thanks to Alan Cooke for his work as chairman of selectors, to Peter Cameron in his dual capacity as chairman of the social committee and manager of the reserve grade, to Graeme Richmond as senior team manager, to members of the businessmen’s coterie for their generosity and assistance, and to Miss Alice Wills and all members of the supporters’ and cheer squad groups. – A. E. BOORD, president.
