In the seventh of a special 12-part series on richmondfc.com.au, where we set about building the perfect Tiger, our focus turns to the toughest players at Tigerland over the past half-century.  Which one of these five Tigers do you believe best epitomises toughness?

Kevin Sheedy – 251 games for Richmond, 1967-79.
From “bloody back pocket plumber” to ruthless ruck-rover, Sheedy exuded toughness right throughout his highly-successful league playing career with the Tigers.  As a back pocket, he gave the opposition’s resting rovers merry hell, with his ‘in-your-face’ niggling tactics.  Later, as a ruck-rover, Sheedy inspired the Richmond side through his hard-nosed approach to winning the ball, while still managing to unsettle opponents.  He copped a fair bit in return, too, but never took a backward step.

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Neil Balme – 159 games for Richmond, 1970-79.
It was a case of ‘Welcome to my nightmare’, when opposition backmen ventured into Richmond’s forward line, having been assigned the task of curbing Balme.  The Tiger big man was never shy in exploiting his physical attributes to the team’s best advantage.  Although also a highly-skilled ruckman, Balme is best remembered for intimidating and terrorising the opposition through his raw, rugged, robust approach.

Ricky McLean – 39 games for Richmond, 1972-74 and 1976.
McLean was Neil Balme’s ‘partner in crime’ up forward for the Tigers.  The powerfully-built full-forward joined Richmond at the end of 1971, following a frustrating six-year career with Carlton that netted him just 19 games.  He was hell-bent on making the most of the opportunity presented to him at Tigerland – and wasn’t going to let anything – or anyone – stand in his way.  McLean proceeded to strike fear into the hearts and minds of opposition backlines . . .

Robert McGhie – 81 games for Richmond, 1973-78.
With his sharpie hairstyle and tattoos, McGhie looked tough, even before he stepped out on to the league arena.  And, he certainly lived up to that image, through his on-field actions.  McGhie was a very rugged customer, indeed, in his role at centre half-back for Richmond, after crossing over from Footscray.  His straight-ahead, aggressive playing style ideally suited Tiger coach Tommy Hafey’s attacking game plan.

Mick Malthouse – 121 games for Richmond, 1976-83.
Malthouse was another Tiger ‘import’ who ended up carving out a fearsome reputation as a mighty tough, uncompromising competitor.  Having shifted from St Kilda in search of better opportunity, Malthouse eventually established himself as a formidable, no-nonsense, back pocket.  His primary on-field focus was negating the influence of the opposition’s dangerous small forwards – and he did whatever was required to achieve that goal.

THE PERFECT TIGER SO FAR:
Kicking
Marking
Handballing
Speed
Strength
Courage