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’ preliminary final clash in the ’69 season against Collingwood. The match took place at the MCG on Saturday, September 20, 1969, before a crowd of 108,279. Here is Footy Week scribe Tom Lahiff’s report on Richmond’s impressive 26-point win under the heading: “TIGERS SCORE A KILL” . . .
“Pace, high marking and teamwork were the big features in Richmond’s impressive victory over Collingwood in Saturday’s VFL Preliminary Final at the MCG.
Collingwood showed a lot more spirit than against Carlton in the Second Semi, but sadly lacked the pace to go with the Tigers, who kept the pressure on them all day.
Richmond were well held early by Collingwood and were unable to get their game flowing.
But the break came late in the second quarter when Kevin Bartlett was switched from the ball to a forward pocket.
The Tigers had been getting the ball to their forward pocket area, but Brian McKenzie had proved too strong for Billy Brown.
Bartlett’s pace “killed” McKenzie and the little Tiger was able to bag a few goals and have a hand in several others to cut Collingwood’s defence to ribbons.
Once on the way, Richmond, who had been breaking even in the rucks, got on top and were able to fire the ball to Eric Moore, who made no mistake. This, plus the strength of the centre line, and the close, hard-hitting back lines, were too much for the Magpies.
Collingwood certainly contested more and showed more desire to win the ball than they did against Carlton, but try as they did they couldn’t hold the centre line trio of Richmond’s, nor could they match the pace of Richmond’s forwards.
The only winning position in Collingwood’s attack was full-forward, where Peter McKenna was in good form.
I thought Collingwood were let down by their followers.
Roger Dean’s moving from a half-forward flank to the centre, allowing Bill Barrot to drop down to the forward line, proved a winner.
This, plus the switch of Eric Moore and Barrot two or three times during the game, cut Collingwood’s defences to pieces.
Once again Mike Green showed how he has developed into a great ruckman. His marking and handball was too much for Len Thompson and Graeme Jenkin.
Mike Bowden was always a handy player and John Ronaldson was able to give Green a lot of assistance in the ruck duels.
On the day the Richmond rucks proved too mobile for the Collingwood brigade of Thompson, Jenkin and Terry Waters.
Dick Clay and Francis Bourke made the game look easy on the wings for Richmond. When the ball was in the air they marked it. If it was in the open they were first to it. And they kicked the ball nearly 70 yards every time.
On present form I can’t see anyone holding the Richmond pair.
Barry Price did well in the centre for Collingwood, but he wasn’t the force that many people expected him to be.
John Northey, Royce Hart and Roger Dean were too fast and experienced for Max Richardson, Ted Potter and Denis O’Callaghan, although Potter and O’Callaghan battled hard.
Jeff Clifton and Brian McKenzie went well early, but dropped out of the game in the second half.
McKenna was too good for Barry Richardson. He gave his teammates a target to kick to, but Ian Graham, Twiggy Dunne and Bob Farmer (who kicked badly) were too slow to match it with Geoff Strang, Graham Burgin and Ian Owen.
Des Tuddenham, obviously carrying a knee, battled as only Tuddy can.
Kevin Sheedy has plenty of trouble with David Wheadon and the young Magpie took the honors. Not many have done this against Sheedy this season.
Colin Beard held the resting Collingwood followers and was a great help to the defence.
The style of the opposing rovers was like chalk and cheese. Bartlett was fast and elusive, always shooting the ball forward and a menace in a forward pocket. Some of his dashes were gems. Wayne Richardson, who marked like a follower, showed plenty of courage, but lacked pace.
I thought Richmond’s performance was a great team effort in which every player contributed something. Collingwood’s leading players let their side down.
On Saturday’s form I believe Richmond can toss Carlton.”
Match details
Richmond 3.2 6.12 13.14 15.17 (107)
Collingwood 4.2 7.6 8.8 12.9 (81)
Goals – Richmond: Moore 4, Bartlett 4, Barrot 2, Dean 2, Ronaldson 2, Hart.
Best – Richmond: Clay, Dean, Green, Bourke, Bartlett, Strang, Hart, Barrot, Moore, Sheedy.
Richmond player statistic
Kevin Sheedy: 13 kicks, 3 handballs, 3 marks
Barry Richardson: 8 kicks, 3 handballs, 2 marks
Colin Beard: 9 kicks, 3 handballs, 5 marks
Geoff Strang: 16 kicks, 0 handballs, 4 marks
Graham Burgin: 12 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Ian Owen: 9 kicks, 2 handballs, 1 mark
Francis Bourke: 24 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 marks
Bill Barrot: 16 kicks, 1 handball, 2 marks
Dick Clay: 22 kicks, 1 handball, 7 marks
Roger Dean: 21 kicks, 5 handballs, 8 marks
Royce Hart: 13 kicks, 2 handballs, 9 marks
John Northey: 8 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks
John Ronaldson: 11 kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks
Eric Moore: 7 kicks, 1 handball, 4 marks
Billy Brown: 4 kicks, 3 handballs, 2 marks
Mike Green: 18 kicks, 8 handballs, 14 marks
Mike Bowden: 4 kicks, 8 handballs, 1 mark
Kevin Bartlett: 23 kicks, 2 handballs, 3 marks
Rex Hunt (19th man): 0 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 marks
Graeme Bond (20th man): 1 kick, 1 handball, 1 mark
