To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1969 premiership, richmondfc.com.au is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2019 to follow the Punt Road path to that fabulous flag triumph. Today, we take a look at Footy Week’s review of the Tigers’ Round 8 match in the ’69 season against reigning premier Carlton. The clash took place at the MCG on Saturday, May 24, 1969, before a crowd of 48,656. Here’s how Footy Week scribe Tom Lahiff reported on Richmond’s 29-point loss, under the heading: “BLUES BACK TO THEIR BEST”...
“Carlton came back with a vengeance against Richmond. They cut the Tigers to pieces in every department.
In early games, the Blues failed to impress me. But on Saturday’s form I’ll say they have every chance of making it two premierships in-a-row.
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Ruck strength, pace, clever handball and determination to be first to the ball were features of Carlton’s display. Every player was eager to help a team-mate. They played genuine copybook football.
Richmond were yards too slow and lacked ruckmen. Their defence was unsteady and their attack lacked thought. Even their handball was bad.
But perhaps the most disturbing thought of all about Richmond is that they seem to have lost the art of good, long kicking – their strength in the past few years.
Yes, they certainly have some headaches at Tigerland.
John Nicholls, Peter Jones and Sergio Silvagni controlled the packs and, through rovers Adrian Gallagher and Ian Nicoll, were the means of tremendous drive.
Richmond’s three Mikes – Patterson, Bowden and Green – were left struggling.
Rover Kevin Bartlett’s usual ball-handling skill seemed to have deserted him.
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So badly off were Richmond in the ruck that they had to rely on their half-back line for drive.
As if Geoff Strang, Ray Ball and Des McKenzie didn’t have enough worries! They seemed to be continually chasing Syd Jackson, Robert Walls and Bruce Doull.
The pace of Bryan Quirk and Garry Crane was too much for Derek Peardon and Francis Bourke, although Bourke fought on gallantly.
Bill Barrot, playing his 100th day game for the Tigers, had to lower his colors in the centre to Ian Robertson, who marked well and sent the ball forward with well-directed kicks.
The Carlton defence of Ian Collins, Wes Lofts, Barry Gill, John Goold and newcomer Philip Pinnell was always in front of Roger Dean, Tony Jewell, Graeme Bond and Rex Hunt.
It was only the efforts of Royce Hart that gave Richmond any forward line at all.
Hart had a wonderful duel with Goold, who received a terrific whack early, but was on his feet again after five minutes and came right back into the game.
Barry Richardson may have kept Peter Hudson goal-less, but he certainly had his hands full with Alex Jesaulenko. “Jezza” must have magic in his fingers. He made his five goals look so easy.”
Match details
Richmond 2.3 5.5 7.8 12.14 (86)
Carlton 5.3 10.7 15.10 17.13 (115)
Goals – Richmond: Hart 4, Hunt 3, Bond 2, Jewell, Bowden, Bartlett.
Best – Richmond: Hart, Dean, Sheedy, Green, Barrot, Strang, Bartlett, Bourke.
Richmond player stats
Kevin Sheedy: 12 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark
Barry Richardson: 11 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks
Michael Green: 18 kicks, 1 handball, 11 marks
Des McKenzie: 13 kicks, 2 handballs, 0 marks
Ray Ball: 8 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Geoff Strang: 19 kicks, 3 handballs, 8 marks
Francis Bourke: 17 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks
Bill Barrot: 20 kicks, 1 handball, 7 marks
Derek Peardon: 11 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks
Tony Jewell: 8 kicks, 0 handballs, 3 marks
Royce Hart: 13 kicks, 14 handballs, 9 marks
Roger Dean: 19 kicks, 4 handballs, 4 marks
John Ronaldson (off): 3 kicks, 1 handball, 1 mark
Rex Hunt: 10 kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks
Graeme Bond: 13 kicks, 2 handballs, 2 marks
Mike Patterson: 11 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Mike Bowden: 11 kicks, 10 handballs, 1 mark
No. 29 – Kevin Bartlett: 25 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks
No. 52 – Ian Owen (19th man): 0 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
No. 12 – Alan Richardson (20th man on, 4th quarter): 4 kicks, 4 handballs, 1 mark
