Richmond’s historian Rhett Bartlett has unearthed some fascinating footage from the Tigers’ 1973 premiership year.
He obtained the super 8 home-made movie reel at an auction and subsequently had it digitised.
It features Richmond’s match against arch-rival Collingwood at Waverley Park in Round 9 of the ’73 season, which the Magpies won by 39 points – 15.15 (105) to 10.6 (66).
The Tigers, however, were seriously undermanned for this clash with key players Royce Hart, Kevin Bartlett, Neil Balme, Barry Richardson and Darryl Cumming all out injured.
Bartlett, who broke his hand the previous week representing Victoria against Western Australia, filled in as Richmond’s runner.
Murray Thompson, the son of former Victorian State premier Lindsay Thompson, made his senior debut with the Tigers that afternoon.
Click on the video above and initially you’ll see some snippets of footage from the reserve-grade curtain-raiser.
In the first few seconds, Francis Jackson, long-time Richmond recruiter (No. 34), is poleaxed as he gets boot to ball.
On the far left is Stephen Parsons (No. 52) and far right is Glynn Hewitt (No. 19), the father of former Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt.
Shortly after, there is an altercation of some sort involving the Tigers’ ruckman Stephen Taubert (No. 47). Watching on is a young David Cloke (No. 53).
Then, in the senior match, we see Robert Lamb (No. 22), making just his fifth senior appearance for Richmond, while down at full-back is Robert McGhie (No. 12) opposed to Collingwood’s goalkicking great Peter McKenna. Brian ‘The Whale’ Roberts (No. 15) attacks the ball near the boundary line.
Next, we witness Kevin Sheedy (No. 10) watching on, and Michael Green (No. 37), who was playing his 100th game of VFL football.
Finally, there’s Murray Thompson (No. 43) on debut, dragging Peter McKenna by the guernsey away from his wrestle with Robbie McGhie.
If you have any video or audio recording involving Richmond, Rhett Bartlett would love to hear from you.
He can be contacted via rbartlett@richmondfc.com.au.
For more rare, archival footage, visit Rhett Bartlett's YouTube page.
