In a special series, richmondfc.com.au is asking Tiger fans to select the best player to have worn each of the most significant guernsey numbers in the Club’s history. To assist in your quest, we have profiled those players who have racked up a minimum of 50 games in the number. The game totals and years listed relate to those played while wearing the specific number, not total Richmond career numbers. Today, we turn our attention to No. 29.
No. 29
Kevin Bartlett – 403 games, 1965-1983
Knocked on the door at Tigerland as a skinny 14-year-old kid back in 1961 asking for a game with the Club’s under 17s and ended up becoming the first player in league football history to reach the 400-game milestone. Was an outstanding performer in five premiership sides with Richmond (1967, 1969, 1973, 1974 and 1980) – the first four as a brilliant rover and the last one as a dynamic half-forward. Electrifying pace, superb anticipation, enormous stamina, an insatiable ball-winning appetite, uncanny goal sense, great courage, plus a fierce will-to-win, combined to make him a true Tiger champion and one of the game’s all-time greats. Won the Jack Dyer Medal five times, was Richmond’s leading goalkicker in a season on three occasions, and captained the Club for a year. Was named first rover in the Tigers’ Team of the Century, is a Richmond ‘Immortal’ and an Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend.
Ron Branton – 170 games, 1953-1962
Was a top-class, goalkicking rover throughout his early years with the Tigers and later excelled in a back pocket for the team. Won the Club’s leading goalkicker award twice in his roving role. As a small defender, he displayed an ability to shut down opponents, while still managing to win plenty of ball himself. Possessed abundant courage, was a strong mark, used the ball well and was a constant source of inspiration for teammates. Won Richmond’s Best and Fairest award in all three seasons that he was Club captain – 1960-1962. Finish equal runner-up in the ’62 Brownlow Medal.
Jason Torney – 118 games, 1995-2002
Defender from SANFL club South Adelaide, who developed into a reliable performer for the Tigers due to his ability to nullify the opposition’s dangerous small-medium sized forwards. Despite a top 10 finish in Richmond’s Best and Fairest award in 2002, was traded to Adelaide at the end of that year.
Tyrone Vickery – 102 games, 2009-2015
The Tigers took the talented tall forward/ruckman with their first pick (No. 8 overall) in the 2008 AFL National Draft and he’s now starting to repay their faith in him following a frustrating injury run. Plays an important role in Richmond’s line-up due to his strong marking, accurate kicking for goal, good mobility for a big man, and capacity to provide Ivan Maric with a decent chop-out in the ruck. Has kicked 65 goals in his past 31 games.
Max Hislop – 77 games, 1917-1921
Originally rejected by Collingwood and Melbourne, after brief stints at both clubs, he turned into a champion centre half-back for Richmond and one of the competition’s finest key defenders of his era. Was a magnificent mark, had superb anticipation, great strength and plenty of pace. Acknowledged as best player in the Tigers’ back-to-back premiership triumphs of 1920-1921. Took a mighty, match-saving mark in the dying moments of the ’21 Grand Final against Carlton.
Brian Randall – 54 games, 1941-1945
Big, hard-working forward recruited from the local Richmond area. Played at centre half-forward in the Tigers’ 1943 premiership side and also was a member of their losing Grand Final teams in 1942 and 1944.
