It was on this day back in 1992 that rising Richmond midfield star Wayne Campbell delivered one of the best performances ever seen at the game’s highest level by a teenager.

Campbell, in just his second season of AFL football, and playing game number 25, at 19 years, 278 days of age, lined up for the struggling Tigers against Carlton at Waverley Park on Saturday, June 27.

Richmond entered the Round 15 clash in 13^th place on the league ladder (a 15-team competition that year), with three wins and nine losses, while the Blues were sixth with an 8-5 win-loss record.

Campbell was given the daunting assignment by Tigers coach Allan Jeans of a run-with role on Carlton’s superstar midfielder Craig Bradley, and he rose to the challenge superbly.

So well did Campbell carry out the task, Bradley had to be moved to the Blues’ forward after half-time.

Not only did Campbell display exemplary defensive qualities, he hurt Carlton big time through his  attacking football.

He racked up what was to be an equal AFL-career high 41 disposals, kicked four goals, including the match-winning one, and deservedly picked up the three Brownlow Medal votes as best afield in the Tigers’ thrilling, three-point win.

Here’s what the ‘Sunday Herald Sun’ football reporter Glen Quartermain had to say about that dazzling display by young Campbell . . .

“RICHMOND ruck-rover Wayne Campbell has been a shining light in a season of failed hopes for the Tigers.

His best-afield performance in yesterday’s surprise win against Carlton has put Campbell in the running for the Tigers’ Best and Fairest award.

He was outstanding for four quarters yesterday as he amassed 41 possessions and booted four goals.

He soundly outplayed an opponent the calibre of Carlton 150-gamer Craig Bradley in an eye-catching opening half yesterday, before the highly-rated Blue was shifted into attack.

He was then matched against Carlton’s Adrian Gleeson and played a second half of similar outstanding effect.

In the tense final quarter he goaled on the run at the three-minute mark to give the Tigers a six-point lead and was prominent again at the 22-minute mark when he fired out a long handpass to Chris Naish who goaled to put Richmond within two points of the Blues.

Two minutes later he received a handpass from captain Dale Weightman deep in the forward pocket at the small scoreboard end.

With the poise of a veteran he nailed the goal straight through the centre to give the Tigers the four points.”

‘The Age’ newspaper, in its ‘Eyebrow Raisers’ column, also paid a glowing tribute to Campbell . . .

“FRANKLY, this mention of the 19-year-old from Bendigo could have come in April or early June, such has been the incredible consistency from one with only 26 games against his name. But it was his sensational performance against Carlton at Waverley in Round 15 that drove home once and for all the giant strides the Tiger ruck-rover has made in 1992.

Campbell that day played close to the perfect game, running far and wide to gather 41 possessions, kick four goals, including the winner, in a nail-biting finish, and enjoy the rare spectacle of seeing Carlton’s super-fit Craig Bradley given a breather from chasing his younger opponent.

Yet, the same evening, it took a chain of about half-a-dozen non-Tiger supporters in this office to confidently identify the same man in a photo. Surprising? Well, have a look at the names surrounding Campbell on the list of leading average possession getters (Mitchell, McDermott, Atkins, Jarman, etc.) and perhaps it isn’t.

Campbell is a respectable fifth on that table, with about 27 touches a week; and no one at Richmond seems to think his profile will remain as low as it is for too much longer.

“He just fits into the modern way of playing,” says Tiger assistant coach Peter Schwab. “He has tremendous stamina, an ability to run all day, but he also has plenty of poise with his disposal. He’s very well equipped to play the game the way it’s going to be played now. 

“He’s really come along under ‘Yabby’ (coach Allan Jeans). He’s been encouraged to get out there and use his running power to push through the lines, and he’s simply responded to that.”