To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1973 premiership, Richmond Media is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2023 to follow the Punt Road path to that fabulous flag triumph. Today we review Richmond’s Round 11, 1973 victory over Footscray at the Western Oval on Saturday, June 16.
Graham Teasdale was the name on the lips of Yellow and Black barrackers who ventured out to the Western Oval for Richmond’s mid-season clash with Footscray.
The high-flying, talented, teenage spearhead had made a sensational senior debut with the Tigers the previous week, kicking six goals against South Melbourne at the Lake Oval.
Having captured the imagination of the Tiger Army following that fantastic first-up display, there were high expectations placed on Teasdale as he lined up for his second game.
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Teasdale, however, lived up to the hype, producing another top-class performance at full-forward.
He took seven marks, several of them in typically spectacular style, and booted five goals as Richmond romped to a 51-point win.
The home side had only one goal on the board at half-time and was simply outclassed by a Tigers team that was determined to cement a place in the top five.
Brilliant centreman Ian Stewart provided silver service for Teasdale and the other Richmond forwards with his trademark pinpoint disposal.
It was vintage Stewart, creating numerous scoring opportunities for teammates.
Joining Teasdale as multi-goal Tigers on the day were crafty ruck-rover Kevin Sheedy with four goals and clever, young half-forward Robert Lamb with three majors.
Star Richmond defender Francis Bourke was excellent throughout the match, clearing the ball out of the backline with towering torpedo punts.
Wingman Wayne Walsh also shone for the Tigers, winning plenty of ball and thumping it forward in familiar style.
Match details
Richmond 5.1 9.3 13.5 17.7 (109)
Footscray 0.6 1.10 6.13 7.16 (58)
Goals – Richmond: Teasdale 5, Sheedy 4, Lamb 3, Bourke, Nalder, Sproule, Walsh, Wood.
Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Stewart 26, Walsh 23, Bourke 21, Sheedy 21, Clay 18.
Best – Richmond: Stewart (best on ground), Sheedy, Bourke, Teasdale, Walsh, Fowler.
Goals – Footscray: Dempsey, Gingell, Jacks, Quinlan, Salmon, Thorpe, Welsh.
Leading disposal-winners – Footscray: Thorpe 36, Gallagher 24, Casey 19, Collins 19, Quinlan 19.
Best – Footscray: Casey, Gallagher, Thorpe, Power.
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