On Mother’s Day 2020, Tony Greenberg reflects on a star Tiger who made this special celebration day his own in the early 1990s.
The very mention of the name Jeff Hogg conjures up extremely pleasant memories in the minds of Yellow and Black barrackers of the huge role he played in what became known as ‘The Mother’s Day Massacre – Richmond’s smashing of arch-rival Collingwood on Sunday, May 12, 1991.
Hogg was red-hot that day, booting 10 goals (10.1) in a dazzling display at full-forward that inspired the Tigers to a shock 57-point victory over the reigning premier team.
It was the most goals Hogg scored in a match throughout his fine playing career at Richmond. He’s one of only 10 players in Tigerland’s league football history to achieve that special double-figure goal feat.
What’s not as well known about Hogg is that 12 months earlier on Mother’s Day, he’d lifted the Tigers to another major upset win.
Richmond made the trek to Kardinia Park, as it was known then, to take on the might of Geelong in Round 7 of the 1990 season on Sunday, May 13.
The Tigers were rank outsiders against the 1989 runner-up Cats at their home fortress.
But a game-high four goals from Hogg (4.3) and some extremely wayward kicking for goal by Geelong, led to a 14-point Tiger victory – 13.18 (96) to 9.28 (82).
Hogg had only nine disposals for the match, but took seven marks and impacted the scoreboard, which was particularly significant in the outcome of the clash.
Interestingly, the second-highest goalkicker on the ground that day was Richmond’s Des Ryan, much better known as a tall defender throughout his league football career. Ryan’s three goals also were a crucial factor in the Tigers’ surprise success against the Cats.
