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 21, 1973 encounter with South Melbourne.
Kevin Morris picked up where he had left off in the previous round, producing a magnificent, match-winning performance against South Melbourne at the MCG.
After kicking five goals against Collingwood in Round 20, with four of them coming during a last-quarter blitz, Morris sank the Swans with a superb eight-goal spree in the Round 21 clash.
With Morris in red-hot form, the Tigers cruised to a comfortable 49-point victory to cement their position in second spot on the league ladder with one home-and-away round remaining.
Richmond led by only six points at quarter-time following an entertaining, high-scoring opening term, but assumed total control of the contest in the second quarter, slamming on 8.2 to 3.1.
South tried hard after half-time to turn the tide, however, the Tigers proved far too accomplished overall.
Richmond’s ruck brigade of Brian Roberts and Craig McKellar dominated their counterparts in Russell Cook and Vic Aanensen, which gave the home team a big boost.
Dick Clay, at full-back, was excellent for the Tigers, repelling numerous attacking moves by the Swans, while at the other end of the ground, champion key forward and club captain Royce Hart made a top return from five weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Hart had 19 disposals, took six marks and kicked four goals in a typically classy display.
Brilliant rover Kevin Bartlett was his customary ball-magnet self, picking up plenty of possessions all over the field.
Triple Brownlow Medallist Ian Stewart also again provided the Richmond side with major drive from the centre.
Other good contributors for the Tigers on the days were Rex Hunt at centre half-forward and Robert McGhie at centre half-back.
Match details
Richmond 5.5 13.7 17.8 22.11 (143)
South Melbourne 4.5 7.6 11.12 13.16 (94)
Goals – Richmond: Morris 8, Hart 4, Balme 3, Sproule 2, Hunt, Sheedy, Rae, Bartlett, Stewart.
Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Bartlett 29, Stewart 24, Hunt 22, Keane 20, Hart 19, Wood 19, McGhie 17.
Best – Richmond: Morris, Clay, Bartlett, Hunt, Stewart, Hart, McKellar, McGhie.
Goals – South Melbourne: Bedford 6, Aanensen, Cook, Prentice, Hoffman, Doyle, Gull, N. Stibbard.
Leading disposal-winners – South Melbourne: Goss 29, Lambert 29, Brice 24, Prentice 23, Cook 21, Gleeson 21, Bedford 20.
Best – South Melbourne: Bedford, Lambert, Prentice, Goss, Brice, Cook, N. Stibbard.
Attendance: 24,307.
