Wayne Walsh was Richmond's best player in their Round 16, 1973 win over Melbourne.

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 examine Richmond’s clash with Melbourne in Round 16 of the ’73 season. 

Richmond cemented a top-two spot on the league ladder with a comfortable 37-point victory over Melbourne in their Round 16, 1973 clash at the MCG.

It was the Tigers’ seventh successive win, putting them eight points ahead of third-placed Carlton and just four points behind ladder leader Collingwood.

They set up their success against Melbourne with a five goal to one second quarter that gave them a 35-point advantage at half-time.

The Demons tried hard to turn the tide in the third quarter, but despite having the ball locked in their forward line for the majority of that term, they could manage only two goals (2.6).

And they squandered more opportunities in the last quarter, scoring 4.5 to the Tigers’ 5.2.

Richmond suffered a blow at half-time when brilliant centreman Ian Stewart, who had been in superb form, was forced out of the match with a hamstring issue.

The Tigers, however, were able to cover the loss of Stewart, as well as the absence through injury of captain and superstar centre half-forward Royce Hart, dynamic forward duo Neil Balme and Ricky McLean and key defender Robert McGhie.

Dick Clay again stepped up to fill the void in the vital centre half-forward post, finishing the match with 22 disposals, eight marks and two goals.

Big Brian Roberts got the ball rolling for Richmond with his strong ruckwork at the centre bounces and around the ground. He had 24 hit-outs and took eight marks.

Richmond had other good contributors on the day in rover Kevin Bartlett, ruck-rover Kevin Sheedy, defenders Francis Bourke, Rex Hunt and Merv Keane, along with promising young forward prospects Robert Lamb and Graham Teasdale, who kicked five goals between them.

But the Tigers’ best player was Wayne Walsh, who generated significant drive for the team with his trademark long clearing dashes.

Match details

Richmond         4.5       9.7       11.12    16.14 (110)                                                      

Melbourne       2.3       3.8       5.14     9.19 (73)                                                                                                          

Goals – Richmond: Teasdale 3, Bartlett 2, Clay 2, Lamb 2, Sproule 2, Green, Hewitt, Morris, Sheedy, Wood.

Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Bartlett 26, Sheedy 24, Clay 22, Keane 22, Bourke 21, Wood 21, Cumming 20, Walsh 19.

Best – Richmond: Walsh, Roberts, Clay, Hunt, Bartlett, Sheedy, McKellar, Bourke.

Goals – Melbourne: Callery 3, Brewer 2, Alves, Clark, Ditterich, Wells.

Leading disposal-winners – Melbourne: Wells 29, Ditterich 23, Brewer 22, Parke 22, Flower 21, Callery 20, Hardeman 20.

Best – Melbourne: Ditterich, Brewer, Hardeman, Flower, Parke, Sullivan.

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