He was recruited from Tasmania, where his father, Don Gale, had been a champion footballer throughout the 1950s and early 1960s.
Several decades before then, Don’s father (Brendon’s grandfather) Jack Gale had played senior football for Richmond (in 1924).
Young Gale, who had played senior football with Burnie Hawks in 1987, was hampered by injuries during his first couple of years at Tigerland and didn’t make his senior league debut until the opening round of the 1990 season, under Kevin Bartlett’s coaching guidance.
He went on to play every game that season, and 21 of 22 in 1991, establishing himself as the team’s centre half-forward - a position he was well suited, due to his marking ability, mobility, and long kicking.
Later on, Gale would be used by the Tigers in a relief ruck role, before eventually taking over the mantle as the team’s No. 1 ruckman.
Gale was a key member of Richmond’s 1995 finals campaign and was also acting captain in several games that season when skipper Tony Free was injured, including the memorable semi-final win against Essendon.
As a forward, Gale was a strong focal point for the Tigers, and a real handful for opposition sides to counter.
He scored a career-high 34 goals in the 1996 season, with a personal best of six, against Fitzroy in Round 21 that year.
Six times in his 12 seasons of league football, Gale booted 20 goals or more, to underline his value as an attacking weapon.
He’s also fondly remembered by the Yellow and Black faithful for the many match-saving marks he took deep in defence, later in his career with Richmond, as the team’s main ruckman.
At either end of the ground, or the all-important centre bounces, Brendon Gale gave everything he had for the Tigers - and that was a significant amount.
Brendon Gale profile
Born: 18/7/1968
Height: 198cm
Playing weight: 104kg
Draft history: Taken by Richmond at pick 27 overall in the 1987 National Draft
Guernsey number at Richmond: No. 25
Debut at Richmond: Round 1, 1990 v Brisbane, Carrara
Games at Richmond (1990-2001): 244
Goals at Richmond: 209
