To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1969 premiership, richmondfc.com.au is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2019 to follow the Punt Road path to that fabulous flag triumph. Today, we take a look at Footy Week’s review of the Tigers’ Round 9 match in the ’69 season against Footscray. The clash took place at the Western Oval on Saturday, May 31, 1969, before a crowd of 8,529. Here’s how Footy Week editor Harry Beitzel reported on Richmond’s 29-point loss, under the heading: “SURPRISE, SURPRISE! Bulldogs bite the Tigers’ tail.
“Footscray snatched a well-deserved 11-point win in a hectic last quarter against Richmond.
The young pups, led by their hero Ted Whitten, who booted two great goals to snatch the see-sawing lead for his team, finished full of fight.
Richmond had had its chance to go to a long lead in the first half. The team frittered away too many opportunities.
It was the first time I had seen the Tigers in action, and I had heard about the stupid handball, the short kicks and the many wasted opportunities. It seemed it would be a different story in the first half.
Most players were driving the ball forward and Roger Dean was setting his players a fine example.
Tom Hafey made several positional changes before the first bounce. And what a bounce it was by newcomer umpire Phil Hayes. In the muddy conditions, he pushed the ball and it came up three feet. It was the only bounce for the day.
This young umpire did well, using a common-sense approach in the wet weather conditions, and was consistently helping the player making the game on the day.
We saw Francis Bourke at centre half-back, Dean in the centre, Dick Clay on a wing, newcomer Wayne Judd, half-forward flank, and Mike Green in the ruck.
Richmond played direct football in the first half and held sway across the centre mainly because of Clay’s superiority over Ray Haynes.
Footscray, just near half-time, swung Ricky Spargo onto this player and the duel became more even.
The centre battle was very interesting, with both players gathering a lot of kicks. Dean finished with 27 for the day, while Stuart Magee had something like 30. I felt the Richmond skipper used his kicks to greater advantage.
In the second half it was all Footscray. The young side showed more tenacity, desire to get the ball, outmarked and outran their opponents.
The team kept boring in for the ball, led especially by George Bisset and David Thorpe. It was a big day for Thorpe. He was celebrating his Carnival selection, his 21st birthday and his young wife Elaine had presented him with a baby boy earlier that morning. Thorpe was the best man afield.
Footscray completely outscored Richmond in the second half, kicking five goals eight to a pathetic 2.2. That was the story of the match.
Of the newcomers in both teams, Harry Skreja and Power showed potential. Judd and Ron Thomas will both hold their place for Richmond. One thing is for sure. Richmond will have to win the ball more from the packs and Kevin Bartlett needs more assistance.
Mike Bowden handled the ball a lot, but like “Bull” Richardson, is handball happy. Eventually he left the field and Kevin Sheedy became a ruck-rover and seemed far more effective.
There are certain fundamentals of wet weather play, and these were forgotten by Richmond in the second half. First, play in front. Second, put yourself completely behind the ball. Third, kick it. Fourth, only use handball to get out of trouble and rarely, if ever, handball away from your goals.
If the Tigers are to make the finals, they will have to brush up on these fundamentals.
Bourke was a success at centre half-back, but it is doubtful if he will be retained there.”
Match details
Richmond 3.4 5.6 6.6 7.8 (50)
Footscray 2.2 3.5 5.8 8.13 (61)
Goals – Richmond: Hunt 3, Strang, Hart, Patterson, Bartlett.
Best – Richmond: Dean, Sheedy, Bourke, Bartlett, Green, Hart, Clay, Jewell.
Richmond player stats
Kevin Sheedy: 22 kicks, 0 handballs, 6 marks
Barry Richardson: 4 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Tony Jewell: 12 kicks, 3 handballs, 3 marks
Ron Thomas: 12 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Francis Bourke: 17 kicks, 2 handballs, 4 marks
Geoff Strang: 10 kicks, 2 handballs, 1 mark
Dick Clay: 20 kicks, 2 handballs, 7 marks
Roger Dean: 27 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks
Derek Peardon: 13 kicks, 5 handballs, 5 marks
Graeme Bond: 14 kicks, 1 handball, 4 marks
Royce Hart: 11 kicks, 7 handballs, 3 marks
Wayne Judd: 12 kicks, 3 handballs, 2 marks
Mike Patterson: 11 kicks, 3 handballs, 5 marks
Rex Hunt: 9 kicks, 0 handballs, 4 marks
Keith Smythe: 12 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks
Michael Green: 15 kicks, 2 handballs, 5 marks
Mike Bowden: 6 kicks, 15 handballs, 3 marks
Kevin Bartlett: 26 kicks, 1 handball, 8 marks
John Ferguson (19th man): 1 kick, 0 handballs, 0 marks
George McInnes (20th man): 0 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
