Richmond Football Club turns 133 years of age today.
The formation of the Club took place on February 20, 1885, in a public meeting at the Royal Hotel (then known as Byrne’s Royal Hotel), directly opposite Punt Road Oval.
Richmond entered the premier football competition at that time – the Victorian Football Association – in the 1885 season.
After a relatively slow start, the Club had developed into a powerhouse by the start of the 20th century.
The Tigers went from third in 1900 to runners-up in 1901 and then, in 1902, they captured their inaugural premiership. Another VFA premiership followed in 1905.
In late 1907, Richmond, on the back of playing strength, financial stability, a prime, central location, and a large, passionate supporter base, was invited to join the breakaway Victorian Football League competition.
The Tigers made their VFL debut in the 1908 season and went on to claim their first league premiership in 1920.
They made it back-to-back flags with their victory in the 1921 Grand Final.
There were further premierships in 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980, and then, of course, came the glorious drought-breaking flag triumph of 2017.
All-up, Richmond has won 11 league premierships, making it, overall, one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history.
And, a veritable cavalcade of champions – many of them all-time greats of the game – have called Tigerland home during the past 133 years, including the likes of Jack Dyer, Jack Titus, Vic Thorp, Bill Morris, Roy Wright, Royce Hart, Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke, Roger Dean, Michael Green, Kevin Sheedy, Dick Clay, Bill Barrot, Ian Stewart, Michael Roach, Dale Weightman, Maurice Rioli and Matthew Richardson, master coach Tommy Hafey and, in more recent times Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt.
Many happy returns, Tigers, and let’s hope the years ahead see many more premiership cups fill the trophy cabinet at the Club’s iconic Punt Road headquarters.
VFA era facts
Games played: 425
Wins: 190
Losses: 211
Draws: 24
Premierships: Two
Premiership captains: Alec Edmond (1902 and 1905)
Most individual games: Charlie Backhouse, 221 games (1891-1905)
Most individual goals: Jack Hutchinson, 270 (in 70 games)
Competition leading goalkicker: Jack Hutchison, 55 goals in 1906 and 67 goals in 1907
Total players used (1885-1907): 535
Inaugural membership figure in 1885: 300
*VFA information provided by Rhett Bartlett
AFL/VFL era facts
Games played: 2231
Wins: 1126
Losses: 1083
Draws: 22
Premierships: 11
Premiership captains: Dan Minogue (1920 and 1921), Percy Bentley (1932 and 1934), Jack Dyer (1943), Fred Swift (1967), Roger Dean (1969), Royce Hart (1973 and 1974), Bruce Monteath (1980), Trent Cotchin (2017)
Premiership coaches: Dan Minogue (1920 and 1921), Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes (1932), Percy Bentley (1934), Jack Dyer (1943), Tommy Hafey (1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974), Tony Jewell (1980), Damien Hardwick (2017)
Most individual games: Kevin Bartlett, 403 (1965-1983)
Most individual goals: Jack Titus, 970 (1926-1943)
Competition leading goalkickers (home-and-away season only): George Bayliss (1920, 62 goals), Dick Harris (1937, 64 goals), Jack Titus (1940, 92 goals), Michael Roach (1980, 107 goals, 1981, 86 goals), Jack Riewoldt (2010, 78 goals, 2012, 65 goals)
Most goals in a season: Michael Roach, 112 (1980)
Most goals in a match: Doug Strang, 14 (v North Melbourne, Round 2, 1931, Punt Road Oval)
Most times Club’s leading goalkicker in a season: Matthew Richardson, 13 (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Brownlow Medallists: Stan Judkins (1930), Bill Morris (1948), Roy Wright (1952 and 1954), Ian Stewart (1971), Trent Cotchin (2012), Dustin Martin (2017)
Norm Smith Medallists: Kevin Bartlett (1980), Maurice Rioli (1982), Dustin Martin (2017)
Total players used (1908-2017): 1153
Players born on February 20: Barney Herbert (1889), Ron Evans (1926), John Jenkins (1936), Ray Ball (1949)
