In the wake of the fastest man on the planet, Usain Bolt, being presented with his own special Richmond guernsey, Tony Greenberg lists 10 Tigers who may just have given the world champion sprinter a bit of a run for his money.
1. Bill Williams, nine games for Richmond, 1948-49
Winner of the 1956 Stawell Gift, one of the world’s most famous and prestigious foot races, which underlines just how fast he was. Also won the 1960 Portland Gift.
2. Billy Brown, 130 games for Richmond, 1963-71
Small, lightly-framed, but super-quick. Provided the Tigers with excellent value, firstly on a wing, and then in a roving/forward pocket role, utilising his great pace to full advantage for the team.
3. Kevin Bartlett, 403 games for Richmond, 1965-83
Bartlett’s blistering pace was a key factor behind the enormous success he enjoyed throughout his mighty league career with Richmond. His ability to ‘burn’ off opponents, and break the lines with lightning speed, gave the Tigers a huge boost. He also possessed the stamina to run at top speed for the full four quarters of a match, which made him even more difficult for the opposition to counter.
4. Dick Clay, 213 games for Richmond, 1966-76
Clay arrived at Richmond as a gun forward, turned into a star wingman, and finished his league career as one of the competition’s best full-backs. Speed was a major asset for him throughout. It enabled Clay to generate considerable drive for the Tigers off a wing, through his run-and-carry. Then, at full-back, he had the closing speed to spoil his forward opponents, as well as run off them, turning defence into attack.
5. Graeme Bond, 115 games for Richmond, 1967-73 and 1975-77
Bond was nicknamed ‘Racehorse’ by Richmond fans during his playing days with the Tigers, which gives you a pretty fair indication of how quick he was. Apart from having a career at Tigerland that he can be well proud of, the pinnacle being a member of the Club’s 1969 premiership side, Bond also had success as a professional runner, winning the Leongatha, Dandenong and Maryborough Gifts.
6. Daryl Cumming, 88 games for Richmond, 1971-76
Another lightly-framed, small Tiger wingman/rover with pace to burn.
7. Alan ‘Dizzy’ Lynch, two games for Richmond, 1976
Was an Australian middle-distance running champion. Competed for many years at the Stawell Gift, mainly in the 1600-metre and 3200-metre events. Won six races at Stawell – three consecutive 3200-metre events from 1980-82, and three 1600-metre events, in 1980, 1981 and 1987. Is a legend in the Stawell Hall of Fame. Also was lightning fast over shorter distances on the football field.
8. Geoff Ablett, 16 games for Richmond, 1983-84
The eldest brother of Geelong champion Gary Ablett senior won league football’s Grand Final day players’ sprint three times – 1979, 1980 and 1981 – and earned a glowing reputation for his red-hot running ability.
9. Michael Mitchell, 81 games for Richmond, 1987-91
Mitchell’s incredible seven-bounce goal against Sydney at the SCG in 1990, which years later was named Richmond’s Goal of the Century, highlighted the electrifying pace that he possessed. His lightning-fast, attacking runs thrilled Yellow and Black barrackers during an otherwise fairly bleak period for the Tigers. And, he also used his sizzling speed to chase down opponents.
10. Brett Deledio, 243 games for Richmond, 2005-16
Provided the Richmond side with plenty of drive through his elite speed and line-breaking ability. Deledio’s dazzling dashes downfield helped make him such a valuable member of the Tigers’ line-up for more than a decade, until his switch to Greater Western Sydney during last year’s trade period.
