It’s 70 years ago since the man regarded as the greatest Tiger of them all, John Raymond Dyer, played the final game of his magnificent league football career with Richmond, and today (Friday) also marks the anniversary of his passing. Tony Greenberg cranks up the Tiger time machine to provide an account of that significant day in the Club’s rich history. . .

Jack Dyer was 35 years, 285 days old when he led his beloved Tigers out on to the famous Punt Road Oval ground for the last time in a league match.

It was Saturday, August 27, 1949, and Richmond was hosting Geelong.

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The great ‘Captain Blood’ was retiring after a wonderful league career spanning 19 seasons.

Over that long period of time, he had constantly put his body on the line, fuelled with a fierce determination to do whatever he could to help lift the Tigers to victory.

Dyer loved Richmond and Richmond loved Dyer.

Captain Blood epitomised the renowned ‘Eat ‘em Alive’ spirit that was the cornerstone of the Tigers’ success.

But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and the final home-and-away round of the 1949 season was Jack Dyer’s swansong.

Richmond had endured a topsy-turvy season that year, winning nine games and losing nine in the lead-up to that last-round clash (there were 19 home-and-away games in the ’49 season) with Geelong at Punt Road.

A four-game losing streak in the middle of the season had torpedoed the Tigers’ finals prospects and they found themselves well out of September contention going into that game against the Cats.

There was, however, no doubting Richmond’s incentive to win, in order to send its inspirational leader out on the best possible note.

Dyer had been the Tigers’ captain-coach since 1941 and he’d guided them to the 1943 premiership with a thrilling victory over Essendon in the Grand Final at Princes Park.

Six years on, he was preparing to put his battered body on the line for Richmond one last time.

In the twilight of his playing career, Dyer was still causing headaches for opposition teams, as a dangerous forward pocket. He’d won the Club’s leading goalkicker award in 1947, with 46 goals and 1948, with 64 goals, and had 39 goals on the board going into that final round of the ’49 season.

Here is ‘The Argus’ newspaper’s report of the emotion-charged Dyer farewell from its edition on Monday, August 29, 1949 . . .

“Jack Dyer’s colorful career as a Richmond player and leader came to a triumphant climax on Saturday, when his players showed their best form to help in the convincing win over Geelong.

Dyer led his team on to the ground through a barricade of streamers, and was “chaired” and carried off amid rousing cheers and congratulations.

His six goals for the match came from great judgment in leading out and perfectly timed marking.

Dyer played his 310^th game – a new League record – and kicked his 443^rd goal. He will be the guest of the club at a testimonial social toward the end of September . . .

Ability to use it heavier men to better advantage gave Richmond a convincing win over Geelong.

From the outset the game was fast and furious, with the superb high-marking and driving power of Dyer, Poulter, and Fraser giving Richmond the edge over the lighter Geelong men.

Geelong kept hitting back spasmodically, but found no counter to the vigour of Richmond’s big men.

Richmond’s only lean time was in the third quarter, when it appeared to be taking a breather, but its eight goals in each of the second and last quarters, against one point and three goals respectively by Geelong, proved too formidable.

Geelong found it difficult to get into its stride, and frequent drives were smothered by Fraser and Sier before they could reach scoring range.

Richmond was always on top in the ruck, but any loose passes were smartly snapped up by Davis and Fulton, of Geelong.

With Richmond leading by 39 points at the last change, both sides clapped on the pace, and ruggedness rather than system became the general order.

Geelong kept nibbling away, but its fighting spirit brought few results and Richmond quickly put the issue beyond doubt.”

This is ‘The Sun’ newspaper’s review of the match . . .

“Richmond’s all-round strength overwhelmed Geelong.

With star centre half-forward Fred Flanagan outplayed by Don Fraser and badly beaten in the centre, Geelong was never able to develop its speed or short passing.

Ray Poulter and Bill Morris were unbeatable in the air and Richmond’s small forwards made full use of the opportunities presented by the speed and cleverness of its small men. Only interest in the last quarter was whether Jack Dyer could score the last goal.

After hitting the post, Dyer marked again, but was too far out to shoot and passed to Bill Wilson. The ball was immediately shot back to Dyer, who ended his League career with his 443^rd goal.”

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And, here’s how Captain Blood’s playing departure was recorded in ‘Tigerland: The history of the Richmond Football Club’ . . .

“Dyer was emotional as he addressed his team for the last time as a playing-coach. There was no place in the finals at stake, but he asked that they give him a win as a memento. They played a brand of football that had they produced during the season would undoubtedly have carried them to the finals.

Bill Morris dominated the ruck and kicked four goals for good measure. Fraser, Stokes and Albiston were outstanding and a mesmerised Geelong saw the scoreboard ticking over until the siren ended it all 22.12 to 10.15. Dyer’s last kick in VFL football came from a great mark and a marvellous drop punt recorded his sixth goal.

Richmond and Geelong players started to chair the champion from the field and emotional Richmond and Geelong supporters joined in, singing and cheering in a unique gesture that showed the high regard that all overs of the game had for this remarkable man.

A further lump came to the Dyer throat when his much-hated foe Collingwood sent him an inscribed ashtray commemorating his record-breaking career. A remarkable number of sporting bodies, social clubs, junior bodies and individual celebrities sent Richmond a great array of trophies and presentations to honor Dyer in his retirement.

In the dressing room, there was scarcely a dry eye in a list that boasted some of the wildest and toughest men in football and an equally emotional Jack Dyer declared to his men: ‘It isn’t considered manly for one man to kiss another, but I love you guys so much I could kiss you all’.”

Match details

Richmond         4.4       12.8     14.9     22.12 (144)
Geelong            3.4       3.5       7.12     12.13 (75)

Goals – Richmond: Dyer 6, Morris 4, Albiston 3, Poulter 3, Stokes 2, B. Wilson 2, H. Rowe, Merrett.
Best – Richmond: Poulter, Fraser, Dyer, Albiston, Spring, Merrett, Sier.