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 delve back into the Age newspaper’s archives for Paul Speelman’s match review of Richmond’s victory over Geelong in Round 13 of the ’73 season at VFL Park.

Meet a Lamb who leads others to the slaughter; a Lamb in Tiger’s clothing . . . Robert Lamb.

He made a quiet debut for Richmond as 20^th man, against Melbourne in the fifth round but gradually this 18-year-old is turning into a great Tiger.

Lamb got only eight kicks during the game against Geelong at VFL Park on Saturday. But five of them were goals from a half-forward flank.

There’s not all that much of him – 6ft. 01/2 in. and 12.5 stone – but he’s fitted into the Richmond side like the veteran he replaced, Roger Dean.

Admittedly things are made a little easier for Lamb, and others like him, by the magnificent form of centreman Ian Stewart.

His ball-getting and disposal were great.

And there was Brian Roberts who made the ruckwork look easy, not even bothering to kick the ball; just handpassing it to any of three or four players streaming past.

Up forward another recruit, Graham Teasdale, was having a lean time. But next to him – after six weeks out of the big time because of a broken hand – was Neil Balme, back to his most dangerous best.

But Richmond did not have it all its own way.

Early in the game Geelong showed surprising bite for such an undermanned team, a team without its star David Clarke.

The Cats started off with a rush, mainly because of a splendid first quarter effort by Peter “Ocker” Stephens, but once Richmond got its big game going, it was all over.

There was some stout resistance, particularly by full-back Tim Evans.

But it was the 13^th round and somebody had to be unlucky. Saturday was not the day for a repeat of Geelong’s 1970 VFL Park win over the Tigers.

Match details

Richmond         5.1       12.3     16.5     21.7 (133)                                                                    

Geelong            7.4       10.4     12.7     13.11 (89)                                                        

Goals – Richmond: Lamb 5, Balme 3, Bourke 2, Cumming 2, Sproule 2, Teasdale 2, Bartlett, Clay, Green, Sheedy, Wood.

Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Bartlett 32, Stewart 25, Roberts 24, Bourke 22, Sheedy 22, Wood 20.

Best – Richmond: Stewart (best on ground), Roberts, Lamb, Sproule, Bartlett, Sheedy, Balme, Bourke.

Goals – Geelong: Davidson 4, Lewtas 2, Sarah 2, Stephens 2, I. Nankervis, Newland.

Leading disposal-winners – Geelong: I. Nankervis 31, Scarlett 23, B. Nankervis 21, Sarah 21, Andrews 19.

Best – Geelong: Evans, Davidson, I. Nankervis, Sarah, Higgins, Scarlett.

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