To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Tigers’ 1980 premiership, Richmond Media is transporting Yellow and Black barrackers back in time throughout 2020 to follow the Punt Road path to that fantastic flag triumph. Today we take a look at ‘The Age’ newspaper’s review of Richmond’s Round 11 match of the ’80 season against South Melbourne at VFL Park, which took place on Saturday, June 7 before a crowd of 50,017.
“Good football sides do not succumb to pressure, so one is entitled to ask – how has South Melbourne come so far in the first half of this year’s VFL competition?
The Swans must have left their coach and supporters bewildered by their lacklustre performance at VFL Park at the weekend, when League leader Richmond took them to pieces.
The Tigers only applied pressure when South Melbourne, like a yapping dog, snapped at their heels, and went on to win by 53 points.
Coach Ian Stewart must have been gnashing his teeth after the Swans hit the lead in the third quarter and then stopped dead.
Like a sleeping giant, Richmond sprang to life, and moved into top gear to slam on goals at will.
Stewart said publicly he was pleased with the way his charges fought out the game.
But in the solitude of a two-hour after-match-discussion with his selection committee, he must have expressed dismay and anger at the way South Melbourne failed to go on with the game and cope with pressure.
Richmond, on the other hand, should also not be too pleased with its performance.
No side on top of the ladder can afford to play with such little purpose and allow a team of runners like South Melbourne to stay in the game for three quarters.
But luckily Tony Jewell had so many talented players around the ground it was a virtual impossibility for South to shut the Tigers out.
Richmond’s dominance of the centre, with Wood, Raines and Collins, made a South Melbourne entry almost an impossible task.
Reviving memories of the halcyon era of Richmond centre lines of the late 60’s and early 70’s, the Tigers leapt to constant attack with penetrating kicks and clever handball.
Raines and Collins, in particular, were creative and damaging players, and other sides will be hard pressed to stop these touch players as Richmond prepares for the run home to the finals.
Another feature of Richmond’s victory on Saturday was its steadfastness in defence.
Led by Francis Bourke and Jim Jess, the Tigers repulsed attacks with ease.
And Bourke’s job of nullifying South Melbourne full-forward John Roberts was very important, as the Swans seemed to lack so much direction in attack.
Not all South Melbourne players wilted under Tiger pressure.
Graham Teasdale rucked well, while full-back Rod Carter held goal-kicking ace Michael Roach to a moderate four goals, three of which were scored in the first half.
Saturday’s game showed the Swans are just not able to cope with pressure football, and with the possibility of prime movers Mark Browning, Peter Morrison, Barry Round and Neville Fields suffering injuries out of the match, the next few weeks could determine the fortune of South Melbourne for 1980.”
Match details
Richmond 4.5 6.9 10.9 18.13 (121)
South Melbourne 3.4 5.5 7.7 10.8 (68)
Goals – Richmond: Roach 4, Rowlings 2, Sarah 2, Weightman 2, Bartlett 2, Lee, Raines, Cloke, Collins, Monteath, Keane.
Best – Richmond: Collins, Raines, Sarah, Bourke, Cloke, Weightman, Wood.
Goals – South Melbourne: Carroll 3, Round 3, T. Morwood 2, Roberts, P. Morwood.
Best – South Melbourne: Teasdale, Ackerley, Fraser, T. Morwood, Jackson.
