In a special holiday season 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 focus on No. 4.
Matthew Rogers – 197 games, 1994-2004
A quiet achiever over his 11-season career at Richmond. Went about his business with minimum fuss, but maximum efficiency. Was used effectively in a variety of positions, including wing, half-back, half-forward and full-forward. Won the Club’s leading goalkicker award in 2000, when superstar spearhead Matthew Richardson was sidelined for most of the season due to injury.
Royce Hart – 187 games, 1967-1977
Right up there among Richmond’s greatest ever players. A wonderfully-gifted centre half-forward, who was dominant in the air, as well as at ground level, where he performed with all the nimbleness of a rover. Always stepped up when the Tigers needed him most. Captained Richmond in its back-to-back premiership triumphs of 1973-1974, played in four flag sides all-up with the Tigers, won two Jack Dyer Medals and took out the Club’s leading goalkicker award twice. Made the All-Australian team in 1969, was named centre half-forward in Richmond’s Team of the Century and is one of just six Tiger ‘Immortals’.
Maurie Sheahan – 121 games, 1929-1936
Strongly-built, dashing full-back. Was a good mark and a long kick. An important member of the Tigers’ 1932 and 1934 premierships. Restricted champion South Melbourne full-forward Bob Pratt to just two goals in the ’34 Grand Final (Pratt kicked a league record 150 goals that season).
Dustin Martin – 110 games, 2011-2015
Dynamic midfielder, who also has repeatedly shown how dangerous he can be when playing forward due to his great strength, balance and football ‘smarts’. A crucial member of the Richmond line-up. Has finished runner-up in the Jack Dyer Medal twice and third on two other occasions.
Geoff Raines – 109 games, 1978-1982
Classy centreman, who generated tremendous drive for the Tiger teams he played in. Was superbly balanced, quick, a magnificent long kick and a spectacular mark. A triple Jack Dyer Medallist and a pivotal player in Richmond’s all-conquering 1980 premiership season. Also made the All-Australian team that year.
Craig Lambert – 102 games, 1989-1993
Clever, creative ruck-rover. Was a particularly fine exponent of handball. Consistently racked up big numbers possession-wise. Won the Jack Dyer Medal in 1991, but departed Punt Road two years later to join Brisbane.
Norm McIntosh – 78 games, 1920-1924
Wingman/half-forward, who was recruited by Richmond from WAFL club South Fremantle, where he’d played in two premierships. Possessed a fine repertoire of skills, and had an abundance of pace, aggression and courage. Was a member of the Tigers’ inaugural league premiership side in 1920.
Hughie James – 74 games, 1919-1923
A champion ruckman throughout Richmond’s early years in the league football competition. Powerfully-built, fearless, highly-skilled, and a player with an excellent team-first attitude. A member of the Tigers’ 1920-1921 premiership sides and a dual Club Best and Fairest winner.
Dave Cuzens – 69 games, 1957-1961
Originally from Perth, he became an important member of Richmond’s line-up in a five-year career at the Club. A solidly-built, determined defender, who read the play well. Back-to-back winner of the Tigers’ Best and Fairest in 1958-1959 and was the team’s vice-captain in 1960-1961.
Mark Eustice – 56 games, 1985-1987
Developed into a handy player for Richmond after transferring from Essendon. A creative utility player with good skills, who was also used effectively at times as a tagger.
Andrew Raines – 55 games, 2005-2009
The son of Richmond’s 1980 premiership hero and triple Jack Dyer Medallist started his AFL career at Tigerland in fine fashion. He finished runner-up in the AFL’s Rising Star award and the Tigers’ Best and Fairest in his first full season of league football (2006) after some eye-catching performances as a rebounding defender. Injuries, however, took their toll on his career with Richmond and he left at the end of the 2009 season to join Brisbane.