In the lead-up to Richmond’s 2017 preliminary final against GWS at the MCG on Saturday, Tony Greenberg lists his top 10 Tiger preliminary final memories...
1. 1969 v Collingwood, MCG: Young Richmond ruckman Michael Green continues his excellent ’69 finals series with a dominant display against the Magpies, and a top-class opponent in Len Thompson. Green plays a significant role in the Tigers’ 26-point win, finishing with 18 kicks, eight handballs and 14 marks.
2. 1969 v Collingwood, MCG: Brilliant Tiger rover Kevin Bartlett produces a trademark superb September showing – 25 disposals (23 kicks, two handballs) and four goals (4.3) – running rings around the Magpies.
3. 1971 v St Kilda, MCG: The Tigers enter the match as warm favourites after comfortably disposing of Collingwood in the first semi-final, but are unsuited by the soggy conditions and suffer a 30-point loss. Barry Richardson maximises his opportunities up forward for Richmond, scoring five goals from seven kicks. Allan Davis, a wet-weather specialist, boots six goals for the Saints.
4. 1973 v Collingwood, MCG: Despite being severely hampered with a chronic knee problem, Royce Hart manages to inspire a tremendous second-half comeback by Richmond that leads to a stirring seven-point triumph over the Magpies. Hart watches the first half of the match from the bench, resting his injured knee, but with the Tigers trailing by six goals at the long break (they were as much as 45 points behind during the second term), coach Tommy Hafey has no option but to call on his champion captain and centre half-forward for a supreme, do-or-die effort. Hart responds in typically brilliant style, kicking two goals and having a hand in several others, to drag Richmond over the line and into the Grand Final.
5. 1973 v Collingwood, MCG: Big forward Neil Balme bangs through a game-high five goals, including a crucial one just before half-time that gives the Tigers a modicum of momentum going into the main break. He clearly is the most influential forward on the ground over the course of the match, and plays a key role in the famous Richmond victory.
6. 1973 v Collingwood, MCG: Dependable defender Mervyn Keane takes a gutsy mark deep in the Tigers’ backline, in the dying moments of the game, to snuff out any chance of a Magpie win.
7. 1975 v North Melbourne, Waverley Park: A talented 17-year-old forward by the name of Allan Edwards, playing just his 15th senior league game, kicks four goals out of Richmond’s total of eight, as the Tigers’ dreams of a premiership hat-trick are dashed by the Roos.
8. 1995 v Geelong, Waverley Park: The final result is a shocker for Richmond, with the Cats dishing out a 89-point drubbing. But the Tiger Army showcase their mighty Yellow and Black loyalty and passion, proudly singing, chanting and cheering for their heroes in the rain as the one-sided match comes to an end.
9. 2001 v Brisbane, Gabba: The collapse of Ansett Airline means a huge convoy of buses is organised to ferry fanatical Richmond fans to Brisbane to provide strong support for the Tigers. There’s an amazing atmosphere at Punt Road Oval, as hordes of Yellow and Black barrackers congregate before embarking on their journey.
10. 2001 v Brisbane, Gabba: Richmond is no match for a polished Brisbane outfit, going down by 68 points. Leon Cameron, 29 disposals, Wayne Campbell, 24 disposals and Greg Tivendale, three goals, do their best to fly the Tiger flag. Veteran Richmond stars Brendon Gale and Paul Broderick bow out of AFL football following distinguished careers.
