In a special holiday season series, richmondfc.com.au is asking you to select the best players to have filled each of the traditional on-field positions for the Tigers throughout the past half-century, from the candidates we have nominated. We focus today on the small forward pocket role...
Roger Dean
Dean started his illustrious career at Richmond as a half-forward, finished as a half-forward, and was selected on a half-forward flank in the Tigers’ Team of the Century. In between, however, he also provided the Richmond side with great value as a small back pocket. Made life hell for the opposition’s resting rovers in that role with his tough, uncompromising style of play. A fierce competitor, who despised being beaten. Always played with plenty of vigour and possessed enormous courage. Was back pocket in the Tigers’ drought-breaking 1967 premiership team.
Kevin Sheedy
Sheedy took over the small back pocket role from Roger Dean, after arriving at Richmond from then VFA club Prahran as a star centreman. Was very much in the Dean mould as a back pocket – tough as teak with a mean streak, when it came to curbing his opponents. Through sheer hard work and dedication, became the competition’s best small back pocket, earning Victorian state representation several times in that role. Although an extremely close-checking defender, he wasn’t afraid to back his judgment to win possession of the ball and pump it forward for the Tigers. Was back pocket in Richmond’s 1969 premiership side.
Laurie Fowler
Although best remembered at Richmond for pole-axing Carlton colossus John Nicholls in the opening minutes of the 1973 Grand Final, with a spectacular flying bump, Fowler was a valuable contributor in the back-pocket role with the Tigers over several seasons. Also was a determined, fearless performer, who thrived on the challenge of countering the opposition’s dangerous small forwards. Strong overhead for his size and used the ball well.
Mick Malthouse
Malthouse fitted the hard-nosed Richmond small back pocket mould perfectly after joining the Club from St Kilda midway through the 1976 season. A robust, no-nonsense defender, who always attacked the contest with great gusto. Hated being beaten. A strong mark, good kick, a fine team man and a real leader across the Tigers’ backline. Played an important role in Richmond’s 1980 premiership year. Was sorely missed in the 1982 Grand Final against Carlton, when he failed to pass a gruelling fitness test on his dislocated shoulder sustained in the second semi-final a couple of weeks earlier.
Nick Vlastuin
Vlastuin, who was Richmond’s first pick (No. 9 overall) in the 2012 AFL National Draft, has established himself as one of the competition’s best young, small defenders. Possesses plenty of courage, has excellent composure, is good overhead and proficient with his ball use. Combines close-checking defence with creative rebound out of the backline. Finished equal sixth in the 2015 Jack Dyer Medal and was ninth in 2016.
