Just over a week out from big-time football returning to Punt Road Oval at the ME Bank Centre, following a 50-year absence, with Richmond hosting Essendon in a full-scale practice match, courageous Tiger small defender Steven Morris has spoken passionately about what the Club’s iconic home base means to him, and generations of Yellow and Black devotees . . .
Morris, whose father Kevin was a member of Richmond’s back-to-back premiership sides of 1973-74, fondly recalls old days at the ground and, at the same time, speaks glowingly about its transformation.
“Obviously, dad played before I was born, but when he was an assistant coach (at Richmond) in the mid-90s, I remember running around in the change-rooms and having a kick with ‘Richo’ (Matthew Richardson), Matty Rogers, Mark Merenda, and those sorts of guys, kicking snaps around the corner, goals through the office doors, and stuff like that,” Morris said.
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“It’s a very different place to what it was then, not only since I was a kid, or when dad played, but even for the guys that we’ve got here at the moment. They talk about having to lift weights with possums in the corner and stuff like that, just three or four years ago.
“So, it’s obviously transformed a hell of a lot. It’s a really great place to come and train and learn our craft here, and we’re very grateful for it.”
Morris, who has become a fan favorite in just two years at Tigerland, due to his tough, fearless style of play, expressed his delight that competitive football is coming back to the Club’s famous ground, firstly with the game against the Bombers on Friday, March 7, and then as the home venue throughout the 2014 season for Richmond’s new standalone VFL team.
“You hear people from older generations speak with such pride about being at Richmond, at Punt Road, many, many years ago, watching footy being played here. For that to be brought back to reality again, is fantastic for our footy club,” Morris said.
The 25-year-old would love nothing better than following his father’s path to premiership glory with the Tigers.
“Dad just got life membership (at Richmond) and it was great to be able to be there and witness him catching up with players that were also inducted as life members that night, and talking about the special memories and the bond that they have 40 years later,” Morris said.
“That’s certainly something that we (the current Tiger players) strive for.
“To be able to catch up and celebrate the good times that we had at this club in 40 years’ time, would be something that I really enjoy, for sure.”
