It is 40 years today since Michael Roach became just the second player in Richmond’s history to achieve the prestigious 100-goal milestone in a season.
On Saturday, August 16, 1980, the star spearhead, affectionately known as ‘Disco’, chalked up the coveted century with his ninth goal in the Tigers’ Round 20 clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
He joined the great Jack ‘Skinny’ Titus, who had kicked exactly 100 goals for Richmond 40 years earlier in 1940.
UNITED Add-on or become a United Tiger member to help ensure our Club's Strong & Bold future
In the book ‘Yellow and Black: 100 Years of Tiger Treasures’, which was released in 2008 as part of Richmond’s league football centenary celebrations, Roach revealed that he faced a dilemma going into that match against the Demons.
Roach’s parents, living in Tasmania, were considering flying over for the match in case he was to reach the ton that day.
But Roach wasn’t confident he’d be able to kick the required nine goals, so he advised his parents to wait until the following week before making the trip to Melbourne.
“I had set myself a target of about four goals a match that season,” Roach said.
“I thought nine goals in the one match was out of the equation, but I surprised myself and had eight goals to my credit in the last quarter.
“I had a couple of relatively easy shots for goal and was dirty on myself for missing both. I then copped a high tackle from Melbourne’s Jim Durnan and went back for my shot from about 60 metres.
“This time I was absolutely determined to nail my 100th goal of the season, and I put everything into the drop-punt.
“Luckily, it was long and straight and it was all a sort of dream, as you never really think you would be able to kick 100 goals in a season.
“Then, just after the ball sailed through for the goal, Tiger fans started jumping the fence to congratulate me.
“It was chaotic for a while, but teammate David Cloke told me, ‘Don’t move. I’ll protect you’.
“It was a lovely moment and I have great memories of that goal.”
Richmond defeated the Demons by 65 points that day and Roach went on to kick 112 goals for the season, including two in the Tigers’ massacre of Collingwood in the Grand Final.
