While Richmond’s goalless first quarters in its past two matches, against Collingwood (Round 2) and Hawthorn (Round 3), have attracted plenty of publicity, there is no comparison to what Yellow and Black barrackers endured with the team’s horrid starts throughout 1961.
The Tigers failed to score an opening-term goal six times in that 18-game home-and-away season.
They were held goalless in the first quarter of each of their final three games for the year, including the Round 17 clash with St Kilda at Junction Oval, where they failed to score a goal for the entire afternoon!
Richmond finished 10th in the then 12-team competition that year, with five wins and 13 losses.
Here is the Tigers’ tale of shocking starts in the ’61 season . . .
Round 2 v Collingwood, Victoria Park – 0.5 to 0.2 at quarter-time. Won by 23 points – 7.15 (57) to 3.16 (34).
Round 3 v South Melbourne, Punt Road – 0.1 to 5.3 at quarter-time. Lost by 44 points – 6.9 (45) to 12.17 (89).
Round 12 v Footscray, Western Oval – 0.4 to 0.0 at quarter-time. Lost by nine points – 4.9 (33) to 6.6 (42).
Round 16 v St Kilda, Junction Oval – 0.0 to 5.5 at quarter-time. Lost by 83 points – 0.8 (8) to 12.19 (91).
Round 17 v Geelong, Kardinia Park – 0.1 to 3.6 at quarter-time. Lost by 31 points – 6.10 (46) to 11.11 (77).
Round 18 v Hawthorn, Punt Road – 0.3 to 3.3 at quarter-time. Lost by 25 points – 8.8 (56) to 11.15 (81).
