Paul Sproule had spent four seasons at Essendon and been a member of the Bombers’ losing Grand Final side in 1968, but at the end of 1971 he was, somewhat surprisingly, traded to Richmond.

The Tigers couldn’t believe their luck to secure the services of the highly-skilled midfielder for a moderate transfer fee of $2000.

Over the next four seasons, Sproule was to provide Richmond with enormous value for money, due to his professionalism, prolific possession-winning ability, top-class disposal, goal sense, superb fitness levels, and all-round football ‘smarts’.

In his first three seasons with the Tigers, Sproule achieved an extremely impressive winning strike-rate of 77%, which included the back-to-back premierships of 1973-74.

Sproule was one of Richmond’s best players in both those Grand Final triumphs (over Carlton and North Melbourne respectively).

In the ’74 premiership-decider against the Kangaroos, Sproule was shifted into the centre early in the second quarter.  His subsequent dominance at the centre bounces helped turn the tide the Tigers’ way.  

Those in the inner sanctum at Tigerland during those glory days of the 70s, speak in glowing terms of the outstanding contribution made by Sproule to the side’ success.

Richmond’s Team of the Century member, and three-time premiership hero, Kevin Sheedy, played alongside Sproule throughout the ex-Bomber’s four seasons at Tigerland, and was a big fan of the way he went about his football business . . .

 “Paul was an excellent player.  He had an extremely intelligent football brain.  He read the play extremely well and had that ability to get where the ball was all the time,” Sheedy said.

“We got on really well . . . he was my changing partner, along with Ian Stewart . . . we’d all have stints on the ball.

“He was a calculating player . . . he knew exactly what he was doing and was very, very fit.  

“He might have been under-rated outside of Richmond, but I can assure you that among his teammates he was very, very highly regarded.”

Born:  16/12/1944

Height:  180cm

Playing weight:  77kg

Richmond trade history:  Traded to the Tigers by Essendon at the end of 1971 for a $2000 transfer fee

Guernsey number at Richmond:  No. 6

Debut at Richmond:  Round 4, 1972 v Carlton, Princes Park

Games at Richmond (1972-1975):  86

Goals at Richmond:  93

Honors at Richmond:  Member of 1973 and 1974 premiership sides