On exactly the 50^th Anniversary of football’s most famous fight, never-before-published correspondence regarding the Windy Hill Brawl between the VFL, Graeme Richmond, and his solicitors have been donated to the club archives.

The documents were handed over by Jan Richmond, widow of Graeme, to the club historian, and offer a fascinating snapshot behind the scenes during a tumultuous few months.

As all footy fans would know, on May 18 1974, Election Day in Victoria, a brawl erupted between Richmond and Essendon players and officials just before half time, the likes of which rarely seen on a football field. 

The result were suspensions for players and officials, as well as criminal charges against Graeme Richmond and Stephen Parsons.

The unearthed correspondence, now in the club archive, include:

The official letter from the League informing Graeme Richmond of his disqualification until the end of the year and subsequent $2000 fine (see extract below)

The two-page typed transcript of Tribunal Chairman John Winneke’s findings (extract below)

And a medical letter from Richmond club doctor Bill Granger explaining the injuries to GR (extract below)

In total all eight documents have been copied and scanned and will eventually be on display in the club’s memorabilia cabinets in the new Jack Dyer Stand.

As a side note, 13 years later, on the same date, at the same ground, with the same teams, and on election day no less! Richmond and Essendon brawled again in pretty much the exact same spot as the original.

As they say, déjà vu all over again.