Jim Deane, who last night was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, was one of the most keenly-sought interstate recruits in Richmond’s history. And, although he spent only two seasons at Tigerland during the mid-1950s, his impact was significant.
Deane was a brilliant centreman for SANFL club, South Adelaide, winning the competition’s Magarey Medal in 1953, after finishing runner-up in 1948 and 1951, before crossing the border to play VFL football with the Tigers in 1954, when he was 26 years old.
Richmond was a battling club in those days, but Deane’s inclusion in the senior side gave the Tigers a major boost.
After finishing 10th in 1953, with just three wins, they climbed to fifth in 1954, with 10 wins and eight losses, while in 1955, they finished sixth, with nine wins, nine losses.
Deane was used predominantly as a half-forward during his time at Richmond.
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He played 15 games in ’54, kicked 12 goals, and polled six votes in the Brownlow Medal, which was won by champion Tiger ruckman Roy Wright.
The following season, he played 18 games, kicked five goals, and polled three Brownlow votes.
Richmond’s historian Bill Meaklim paid a glowing tribute to Deane.
“I saw all of his 33 games and, gee, they were memorable,” Meaklim said.
“There really is something special about classy left-footers – and Jim certainly fitted into that category.
“He was such a smooth mover on the field - a stylish left-footer . . . I rate him highly as one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen at Richmond.
“It was only a cameo from him with the Tigers, but, boy, he could play.”
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Deane returned to South Adelaide in 1956 and the following year – his last in the SANFL – he won his second Magarey Medal.
All-up, he played 157 games and kicked 95 goals for South Adelaide in a career spanning 11 seasons.
He was South Adelaide’s captain-coach from 1951-53, was appointed skipper again upon his return for the 1956-57 seasons, and won six club Best and Fairest awards.
In 1970-71, he was South Adelaide’s non-playing coach.
Jim Deane is a legend of South Australian football, but he’s also fondly remembered by those fortunate enough to have seen him strut his stuff during his short, but sweet, stint at Tigerland.
