Bryan Wood is Richmond’s third ‘Coming Home Hero’.
The three-time Tigers’ premiership star will be honored during the pre-game build-up at this Sunday’s big clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
Wood, who played 209 games for Richmond from 1972-1982, will walk to the Punt Road end of the ground, where he’ll be warmly acknowledged by the Tiger Army.
He will then proceed to kick a ceremonial goal, before signing the football and handing it to a Richmond fan in the crowd.
Tiger members can upgrade their seat for exclusive access to level two seats in Round 6
Highlights of Wood’s wonderful career with the Tigers also will be shown on the big screens.
Wood joined Richmond in 1970 from Blackburn, which was in the heart of the Tigers’ metropolitan recruiting zone at the time.
He was a member of Richmond’s under-19s premiership side in his first season and worked his way through the ranks at Tigerland, making his senior league debut in Round 7 of the 1972 season, against North Melbourne at the MCG.
The Tigers won that day by 27 points, with Wood picking up 18 disposals and taking five marks in a promising debut that was a clear sign of things to come from the talented 18-year-old wingman.
Wood went on to win the Club’s Best First Year Player award in 1972, and then was an integral member of Richmond’s back-to-back premiership sides of 1973-74, in his wing role.
In those first three seasons of his league career at Richmond, Wood played a total of 65 games, with a return of 52 wins and just 13 losses.
By the late 1970s,Wood was recognised as one of the best wingmen in the competition. His encounters with North Melbourne’s dual Brownlow Medallist Keith Greig were a major highlight when the two teams met during that era.
In the 1980 Grand Final, when Richmond trounced Collingwood by 81 points to claim its 10th league premiership, Wood’s contribution was significant – 11 kicks, 12 handballs and seven marks.
Wood was a superb high mark, a long, penetrating kick, and he had plenty of pace. He also had great balance, and the ability to extricate himself out of trouble with ease.
To further enhance the Bryan Wood football package, he thrived on the cut-and-thrust of big-time football.
Wood’s fierce determination to succeed, combined with all the other attributes he possessed, made him a key player for the Tigers throughout those glory years of the early 1970s to early 1980s.
BRYAN WOOD FACT FILE
Born: 3/4/1954
Height: 185cm
Playing weight: 85kg
Recruited to Richmond from: Blackburn
Guernsey number at Richmond: No. 16 & No. 37
On-field position: Wing
Games at Richmond (1972-1982): 209
Goals at Richmond: 85
Honors at Richmond: Triple premiership player (1973, 1974 and 1980); winner of the Club’s Best First Year Player award in 1972; Club captain in 1981; RFC Life Member; RFC Hall of Fame inductee
