Richmond greats Francis Bourke, Kevin Bartlett, Kevin Sheedy and Dick Clay pay tribute to, and provide a wonderful insight, into their dynamic, popular premiership teammate Bill Barrot, who passed away yesterday.

Francis Bourke

“Billy was three or four years older than me, but when I came to Richmond in 1967 he was an established superstar of the Club.  Basically, I spent the rest of his career playing with him, and it was a privilege because he was a very important player to our team,” Bourke said on SEN.

“I think what people remember about Bill Barrot, of course, is that he was a spectacular player, and possibly the most riveting player that Richmond had in my time.

“He was remembered for his big-occasion performances and his paralysing, low-trajectory drop kicks on the run . . .

“And, he had a flamboyance and excitement about him that I think attracted many football supporters to him, especially Richmond ones.

“He was a powerful player . . . and it made him actually an eye-catching player, really . . .

“We owe Bill Barrot a lot for what he did for us on the field at Richmond.”

Kevin Bartlett

“He was a kind, gentle person, and quirky could describe his personality,” Bartlett said on his SEN program this morning.

“There is not a lot of vision of his career, apart from 1967 and ‘69 Grand Final highlights, but those who saw him play, in full flight, will never forget how great he was.

“Bustling Billy Barrot was an explosive player with bulging muscles, who was a thumping kick and loved the big stage.

“He was a superstar centreman, who starred in premiership wins for the Tigers. He was unpredictable, with a ferocious will-to-win.

“I have memories of him moving to full-forward in 1969, after half-time against Carlton at Princes Park, with a place in the finals up for grabs . . . saw Billy kick eight goals.

“He was a mercurial, match-winning player and Richmond made the finals (in 1969) on percentage and then, went on to win the flag.

“Richmond people will never forget Bill Barrot. He was someone special.

“Everyone who played with him, loved Billy Barrot . . .

“He was one of the greatest players the game’s ever seen. 

“We haven’t had too many players like Bill Barrot . . . such an explosive player, mercurial player, big-game player, thumping kick, loved the centre stage – take on the crowd, take on the opposition . . .

“People will have great memories of Billy today, right throughout the Richmond family.  And I dare say other supporters would, too, because he was that type of player that captured the imagination.”

Bill Barrot, Kevin Bartlett and Francis Bourke at 2015's Homecoming function

Kevin Sheedy

“He was an absolutely sensational player,” Sheedy said on SEN. 

“His performance in the ’67 and ’69 Grand Finals was just superb. Some of the goals he kicked were enormously team-lifting for the players. 

“He was a different sort of guy . . . he was spontaneous, he was energetic, he was super fit and, of course, he was an entertainer. 

“The people loved going to watch him play and his long, raking drop-kicks were sensational. 

“I think the Tiger fans that were around in those days will never forget a guy called Billy Barrot.”

Dick Clay

“With Billy, you’d know if he was “on” from the moment he walked into the rooms,” was how Clay summarised Barrot’s mercurial nature, in Elliot Cartledge’s superb book, ‘The Hafey Years’.

“If he came in and upended one of the rubdown tables, or started slamming doors, you’d know he was switched on.  You could mark it down as three votes to Billy Barrot.

“Other times he’d come in and say he had a sore thumb or something and didn’t feel like playing.

“What you saw at the start of the day was what you got; you could read him like a book.

“But when he was switched on, we knew we were in for a great day.

“He was invigorating for the whole team.  He could do it when it was required . . . the big games, the big occasions.”