Tom O’Halloran was born in New Zealand, on Christmas Eve 1904.
He and his family subsequently migrated to Australia, settling in Melbourne.
Educated at Wesley College, O’Halloran played football at Burnley, before being recruited by Richmond.
A ruckman/centre half-forward, he made a stunning start to his senior league career, winning the Club’s Best and Fairest award in his 1925 debut season.
Over the next decade, Tom O’Halloran would thrill Tiger fans with his high-flying exploits and fearless, inspirational style of play.
O’Halloran earned a mighty reputation as one of the best high marks of the era, consistently displaying a capacity to leap head and shoulders above packs of players to pull down exciting marks.
From 1927-1929, he played in three consecutive losing Grand Finals to Collingwood, being voted Richmond’s best player in the 1928 premiership play-off and that year’s finals series.
Another Grand Final loss followed in 1931, before O’Halloran’s sterling efforts were rewarded with a Richmond premiership in 1932.
He was one of Richmond’s best in the ’32 Grand Final, with 19 kicks and six marks, as the Tigers downed Carlton by nine points.
The following year, O’Halloran was a valiant performer in the Tiger team’s Grand Final defeat at the hands of South Melbourne, picking up 19 kicks and taking 12 marks in his role at centre half-forward.
Then, in 1934, he starred in Richmond’s convincing Grand Final victory over South Melbourne, finishing with 29 kicks, 13 marks and three goals.
It was to be O’Halloran’s last game for the Tigers, and a fitting end to an illustrious league football playing career.
In 1935, he was appointed captain-coach of Richmond’s reserve-grade side, and he later served the Club with distinction as vice-president.
Tom O’Halloran profile
Born: 24/12/1904
Height: 185cm
Playing weight: 80kg
Recruited to Richmond from: Burnley
Playing position: Forward/ruck
Guernsey number at Richmond: No. 18
Games at Richmond (1925-1934): 142
Goals at Richmond: 120
Honors at Richmond: Dual premiership player – 1932 and 1934; Best and Fairest winner in 1925; dual Victorian State representative; Club Life Membership in 1934
Off-field contribution: Club reserves coach in 1935; Club vice-president in 1936 & 1940
