With Richmond taking on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, Tony Greenberg cranks up the Tiger Time Machine and travels back to the ground formerly known as Carrara for the opening round of the 1990 season, when a talented, tall Tasmanian by the name of Brendon Gale made his senior debut in the famous Yellow and Black colours.

Brendon Gale was Richmond’s third pick (No. 27 overall) behind Richard Lounder (No.1) and Wayne Peters (No. 14) in the second-ever AFL National Draft, which was held in late 1987.

He was recruited from Tasmania, where his father, Don Gale, had been a champion footballer throughout the 1950s and early 1960s.

Several decades before then, Don’s father (Brendon’s grandfather) Jack Gale had played senior football for Richmond (in 1924).

Young Gale, who had played senior football with Burnie Hawks in 1987, was hampered by injuries and illness during a frustrating first couple of years at Tigerland, with his limited on-field action confined to reserve-grade level.

After a solid pre-season, however, Gale was fit and ready to go by the time the 1990 season rolled around.

The Tigers had finished last (14^th in a then 14-team competition) the previous year and coach Kevin Bartlett was hoping a promising group of youngsters, such as Matthew Knights, Tony Free, Craig Lambert, Trent Nichols and Gale, could reinvigorate the team in 1990.

Gale was given the nod to make his senior debut in Round 1 of the 1990 season against the Brisbane Bears at Carrara.

The Bears had finished 10^th in 1989 and entered the new season with a new coach – former Fitzroy player Norm Dare.

In front of a crowd of 11,814, Gale lined up at centre half-forward for Richmond and, although the team copped a 59-point hiding, he acquitted himself admirably on debut, finishing the match with eight kicks, two handballs, three marks, one tackle and an equal team-high two goals (2.1).

Interestingly, the Bears line-up contained three players that day, who would go on to coach at the game’s highest level – Roger Merrett (Brisbane), Phil Walsh (Adelaide) and Mark Williams (Port Adelaide), while the Tigers’ Matthew Knights subsequently coached Essendon.

Gale managed to play every game in that 1990 season, and 21 of 22 in 1991, establishing himself as the team’s centre half-forward – a position he was well suited to due to his marking ability, mobility, and long kicking.

Richmond players celebrate a win during the 1990 season. Picture: George Salpigtidis (Herald Sun)

Later on, Gale would be used by the Tigers in a relief ruck role, before eventually taking over the mantle as the team’s No. 1 ruckman.

All-up, Gale played 244 games and kicked 209 goals in a stellar career at Richmond from 1990-2001.

But as significant as the on-field contribution he provided his beloved Tigers with was, it’s fair to say that what he’s achieved throughout the past decade, as the Club’s CEO, has been even greater.

Round 1, 1990 match details

Richmond        2.4       6.9       7.12     10.14 (74)

Brisbane Bears  4.3       7.5       13.14   19.19 (133)

Goals – Richmond: Gale 2, M. Pickering 2, Cloke, Egan, Lee, Mitchell, Nichols, S. Ryan.

Leading possession-winners – Richmond: Knights 33, M. Pickering 25, Lambert 21, Mitchell 21, Nichols 21.

Goals – Brisbane: Caton 4, B. Harris 4, Merrett 2, Rowe 2, Gastev, McIvor, O’Brien, M. Richardson, Taylor, Walsh, Williams.

Leading possession-winners – Brisbane: McIvor 35, Gastev 31, M. Richardson 29, Walsh 25, Bain 24, Zanotti 22, Gibson 21, Taylor 21, Leslie 20.