In a series focusing on Richmond’s trade/draft history, we look at Peter Welsh's move from Hawthorn's reserves to Richmond premiership player.
Peter Welsh started his league football career with Hawthorn after being recruited from Yinnar, a country town in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.
Welsh played 79 senior games with the Hawks from 1973-78, including their 1975 Grand Final loss to North Melbourne.
After spending the 1979 season in the Hawthorn reserves, Welsh was traded to Richmond.
Initially, he played in a back pocket with the Tigers, but he was later used to considerable effect on a wing and half-forward flank.
It was in a tagging wingman’s role that Welsh is best remembered for during his time at Tigerland.
In an amazing rags to riches story, during Richmond’s 1980 premiership year, Welsh was selected on the interchange bench for the Tigers’ reserves for the final home-and-away round of that season.
Just four weeks later, however, “Woosha”, as he was affectionately known, was a valuable member of the senior Richmond side that crushed Collingwood by a then league record margin of 81 points in the 1980 Grand Final.
He’d regained his place in the Tiger seniors for the qualifying final clash with Carlton at Waverley Park, and proceeded to make every post a winner throughout that glorious September, being among the team’s best in triumphs over the Blues, Geelong and the Magpies.
Two years later, Woosha was a member of the Richmond side that lost the 1982 Grand Final to Carlton.
Woosha thrived on the cut and thrust of league football. He was tough, spirited, aggressive, and had an exemplary team-first attitude.
Tiger fans afforded Woosha cult status during his 46-game career at the Club from 1980-84, such was their appreciation of the way he went about his football.
Sadly, Peter Welsh passed away in July 2008 after a long battle with illness.
He is fondly remembered for the excellent contribution he made, both on and off the field, at his adopted league club . . .
Peter Welsh profile
Born: 24/1/1954
Died: 18/7/2008
Height: 180cm
Playing weight: 90kg
Richmond trade history: Traded to the Club in late 1979
Guernsey number at Richmond: No. 31
Debut at Richmond: Round 9, 1980 v Melbourne, MCG
Games at Richmond (1980-1984): 46
Goals at Richmond: 45
