To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1974 premiership, Richmond Media is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2024 to follow the Punt Road path to that tremendous triumph. Today, we return to the archives of The Age newspaper for a review by Mike Sheahan of Richmond’s Round 14 match of the ’74 season against Melbourne at the MCG.
Richmond, supreme advocate of attack, continued its goal-kicking blitz on Saturday, but bottom team Melbourne indirectly warned the Tigers not to forget the art of self defence.
Richmond amassed 23 goals for the amazing total of 52 goals in two games, but the Demons still managed 35 scoring shots at the MCG on Saturday.
The Tigers, who have averaged 21.8 goals in the past five games, should remember 1972 when they kicked 22 goals and lost the Grand Final to Carlton.
Melbourne has kicked less than any other team this season, but scored 11.24 on Saturday and it should have posted at least16 goals.
Richmond has kicked more points than any other team this season – 1660, which is 95 more than its nearest rival, North Melbourne.
But six teams have had fewer points kicked against them, including ninth team St Kilda which has won only half as many games as Richmond yet has had 26 fewer points scored against it.
North Melbourne, probably Richmond’s most serious premiership threat, has shown the same ability as the Tigers to kick mammoth scores, but has had 227 fewer points kicked against it.
The Tigers demolished Melbourne in the third quarter on Saturday when they piled on 10.2, with nine of the goals coming in 20 minutes.
The Demons still managed three goals in the same period as Richmond surged forward at every opportunity.
Half-forward Robert Lamb kicked four goals for the quarter but it was the handball and intelligent play of ruck-rover Kevin Sheedy which paved the way for the Richmond onslaught.
Richmond got four goals more in the first 15 minutes of the last quarter, but Melbourne battled on to finish with 4.7 for the term.
Coach Tom Hafey said after the game: “When you’ve won by 12 goals you’ve got to be reasonably happy.”
But Hafey was well aware that the Tigers’ fortunes in the ruck depended entirely on Michael Green and that Melbourne was undermanned.
Richmond started slowly as usual and only shocking kicking for goal stopped Melbourne from establishing a handy lead in the first quarter.
Demon rover Greg Wells hit the post twice in the first term and lanky full-forward Peter Williamson also wasted chances.
Match details
Richmond 3.4 9.10 19.12 23.15 (153)
Melbourne 2.6 4.13 7.17 11.24 (90)
Goals – Richmond: Lamb 6, Hewitt 4, Balme 3, Brown 2, Walsh 2, Bartlett, Cumming, Green, Hart, Sheedy, Sproule.
Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Bartlett 32, Walsh 28, Sheedy 27, Hewitt 21, Lamb 20, Sproule 20, Green 18.
Best players – Richmond: Green, Sheedy, Lamb, Walsh, Bartlett, Hewitt.
Goals – Melbourne: Ditterich 3, Baker 2, Williamson 2, Brewer, Clark, Scott, Wells.
Leading disposal-winners – Melbourne: Hardeman 31, Wells 29, Sullivan 23, Brewer 20, Ditterich 18.
Best players – Melbourne: Sullivan, Ditterich, Hardeman, Wells, Brewer.
Attendance: 21,146.
