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 report of Richmond’s opening round match of the ’69 season against Essendon at the MCG, under the heading: “TIGERS ON THE RAMPAGE”.
“Playing powerhouse, premiership football, with every player in his right position, Richmond annihilated Essendon at the MCG. Last season’s runners-up had no counter to the Tigers’ sheer physical strength.
The Bombers really had engine trouble. They had few good players and after a bright start in which they were first to the ball and showed good teamwork, faded right out of the game.
Richmond coach Tom Hafey made the match-winning move early in the second quarter. He moved Royce Hart, who had been held by Greg Brown, to centre half-forward and Rex Hunt to full-forward. Richmond never looked back. Hart appreciated the open spaces and started to dominate the air. Hunt also pulled in some fine marks.
Richmond did not have a bad player. In the first quarter their centreline was beaten badly, with John Ellis well on top at the pivot and Ken Fletcher dominating his wing. But when Ellis went off early in the second term Bill Barrot became a tremendous force and emerged as best on the ground.
Dick Clay gradually got on top of Fletcher and Francis Bourke gained control on his wing.
Richmond’s half-back line of Roger Dean, Mike Perry and Des McKenzie was never beaten and Kevin Sheedy and Barry Richardson turned in fine performances.
John Ronaldson and Mike Green won most of the duels against an out of form Don McKenzie. Rover Kevin Bartlett was outstanding with 23 kicks and four goals. John Northey was given far too much latitude by his various opponents and also finished with four goals.
An indication of Richmond’s superiority was the fact that at least 10 of their shots for goal went out of bounds.
Essendon are in real trouble. Coach Jack Clarke made many changes, but all to no avail. Admittedly he lost Ellis and Robin Close before half-time, but too many Essendon players stood by and allowed their opponents to do as they liked.
Geoff Blethyn, the sensation of last year’s Grand Final, did not carry on the good work. He was shifted to a half-forward flank and finished the game on a wing. New rover Garry Crouch found himself on a half-back flank in the last term, but was never able to accustom himself to the pace of League football.
With the exception of Geoff Pryor, the Dons’ half-back line was thrashed. Greg Brown at full-back and Darryl Gerlach in a back pocket were steady, but never brilliant.
Paul Sproule, wherever placed, tried hard all day and did many good things. There was no other Essendon player worth a mention.
Perhaps the return of Alan Noonan and Ted Fordham will help matters, particularly on the forward lines. But the big danger side is the continued lack of support for Don McKenzie in the ruck.
A word about umpire Don Jolley. For most of the game he was way behind play and many of his decisions were confusing to players and spectators alike.
Match details
Richmond 1.5 3.13 9.18 15.21 (111)
Essendon 3.3 5.7 7.9 12.10 (82)
Goals – Richmond: Bartlett 4, Northey 4, Moore 2, Hunt 2, Barrot, Hart, A. Richardson.
Leading disposal-winners – Richmond: Barrot 32, Hart 28, Bartlett 24, Bourke 22, Northey 22, Dean 20.
Best – Richmond: Barrot, Hart, Bartlett, Sheedy, Dean, B. Richardson, Perry, Bourke, Northey.
Goals – Essendon: Collins 2, Payne 2, Blethyn 2, Davis 2, Egan, Fletcher, Sproule, Gosper.
Leading disposal-winners – Essendon: Pryor 22, Sproule 21, Williams 20, Davis 18, Gosper 18.
Best – Essendon: Pryor, Sproule, Brown, Gerlach, Payne.
