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 archives of The Age newspaper for a review (by Graham Trevellyan) of Richmond’s final-round match of the ’73 home-and-away season against Footscray at the MCG.

Richmond must feel someone got the script wrong on Saturday.

The Tigers’ finals campaign wasn’t due to start until next week, but those contrary Bulldogs were out to make the most of their brief scent of the MCG in September.

A potential pot-boiler became a critical success as Footscray applied perpetual motion to run Richmond down and snatch a one-point win in time-on.

Scores were level five times and it was certainly the Bulldogs’ non-stop teamwork – plus the brave move of Gary Dempsey to full-forward – that swung the result.

Dempsey, after an absorbing ruck duel with Brian Roberts and Craig McKellar, was moved mid-way through the last term.

Two typically effortless marks later he had goaled twice to give Footscray a vital five-point break.

Royce Hart out Richmond back in front at the 23^rd minute mark with his third goal, but points to Gary Steel and Glenn Gingell deservedly took the points for Footscray.

Perhaps the most heartening aspect for coach Bob Rose was to see his team win without Dempsey being among the best three or four players.

Roberts was a good player all day in the ruck for Richmond and he and McKellar made sure that Dempsey, supported by Ian Salmon, did no more than break even in the hit-outs.

As compensation Footscray had team effort . . . from fine defenders in Quinlan, Merrington, Power Welsh and Dell to the Bulldog spirit of Wilkins, Magee, Rasmussen and Gingell in attack.

They ran, they chased, they scragged, they handballed . . . all the things which were noticeably lacking at times in Richmond’s play.

Gary Merrington had the satisfaction of having Royce Hart moved away from full-forward early and Rex Hunt was thrashed by the dashing Bernie Quinlan at centre half-back.

Adrian Gallagher was always there, pushing Footscray forward. He collected 31 kicks in a fine roving duel with another great fighter, Kevin Bartlett (27 kicks).

Bartlett could not have done much more to spur Richmond on. He kicked three goals virtually unaided, and it was he, Roberts and the slowly emerging Hart, who nearly stole the game in the last quarter.

Despite Tom Hafey’s constant changes up front, Hunt, Neil Balme and Paul Sproule were well beaten, while Bryan Wood and (Francis) Jackson did little on their wings.

Ian Stewart finished with 18 kicks, but his ever-present shadow, Alan Stoneham, made sure he was not a damaging player.

Key defenders Robert McGhie and Dick Clay were two of Richmond’s few winners. McGhie, in particular, was on top for four quarters and his clean overhead work was a delight to watch.

Match details

Richmond         3.6       4.10     7.14     10.16 (76)                                            

Footscray          2.2       5.5       8.8       11.11 (77)                                                                    

Goals – Richmond: Bartlett 3, Hart 3, Balme 2, Morris 2.

Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Bartlett 28, Sheedy 23, Hart 19, Stewart 19.

Best – Richmond: Bartlett, McGhie, Roberts, Clay, Fowler, McKellar.

Goals – Footscray: Rasmussen 3, Dempsey 2, Salmon 2, Bartlett, Collins, Gingell, Steel.

Leading disposal-winners – Footscray: Gallagher 32, Dempsey 27, Quinlan 22, Stoneham 21.

Best – Footscray: Gallagher, Quinlan, Merrington, Dempsey, Power, Rasmussen, Dell, Stoneham.

Attendance: 24,671.