It’s almost impossible to believe in this football day and age that Donald Don started his league career with Richmond in 1917 as a rover, but later became a champion full-back after the great Vic Thorp retired.
 
Don was recruited by Richmond from a local church team and he made his senior league debut in Round 4 of the 1917 season against Fitzroy at the Brunswick Street Oval, as a 16-year-old.
 
He played five games all-up that season, and then 12 the next year, when he was the Club’s leading goalkicker (with a modest return of 19).
 
In 1919, Don became an even more prominent performer in Richmond’s line-up, showcasing his impressive skills set – first-rate marking, superb, long kicking (in particular drop kicks), excellent anticipation, and clever goal sense.
 
For the second year running, Don was the Club’s leading goalkicker, finishing with 31 goals.
 
Richmond won through to its first league Grand Final in 1919, but lost to arch rival Collingwood by 25 points, with Don, as second rover to Clarrie Hall, kicking two goals.
 
The Tigers gained sweet revenge against the Magpies the following year, beating them by 17 points in the Grand Final to capture their first league football premiership.
 
Don again acquitted himself admirably on the big stage, finishing with a team-high two goals out of Richmond’s total of seven.
 
When Richmond made it back-to-back flags in 1921, Don was a valuable contributor on a half-forward flank.
 
Over the next few seasons, he continued to provide the Tigers with fine service around the packs and up forward.
 
At times, Don was a fiery player, and he was suspended for a total of 20 matches throughout his league career, including eight as the result of an incident during a finals clash with Carlton.
 
Following Vic Thorp’s retirement at the end of the 1925 season, Don was thrust into the full-back role by the Richmond selectors.
 
Although initially reluctant to play there, Don quickly adapted to the position.
 
He would go on to become a top full-back for Richmond, combining strong defensive work with attacking flair.
 
Don’s final league game was in the 1928 Grand Final against Collingwood, which the Tigers lost by 33 points.
 
The following feature article from ‘The Argus’ newspaper in 1928, provides a fascinating insight into Donald Don . . .
 
 
“There is no better known footballer in the Victorian League than Donald Don, Richmond’s great full-back . . .
 
Don has always had a great love for football, but has been tempted to retire once or twice when he was in trouble with the tribunal. He is a splendidly built young fellow, still in his twenties.  He started with the Tigers when he was in his teens, way back in 1917. He is easy to pick on the field because of his conspicuous mop of snowy hair.
 
Don was born in the industrial suburb of Collingwood, a fact of which he is very proud, because he knows that some of the best sportsmen produced in Melbourne have hailed from Collingwood.  
 
As a lad young Don went to a Collingwood State school, and there he acquired a love for football.  Later he shifted to Richmond, and at the age of 15 he was showing great promise as a player.  Collingwood would have liked to secure his services, but it was not to be, as he had a residential qualification for the Tigers, and they wanted him in the side.
 
When Don went to Richmond as a mere youngster good judges like "Dad" Maybury and his son, Percy, were convinced that here was a very promising footballer. ‘Barney’ Nolan was then coach of the Tigers, and he was satisfied that Don was a boy of great possibilities. "Donny" went straight into the side, and. as everybody knows, he has been one of the Tiger stalwarts ever since . . . Richmond soon found that he possessed the quality of versatility to a marked degree.  They found that he trained hard and regularly, and was always in good physical condition.  Not only that, they found that on the field he could be played with success in practically any department.  Don liked roving and forward play.
 
When Richmond had their great premiership sides of 1920 and 1921 in full swing young Don was a valuable member of the side. The first ruck consisted of Bernie Herbert, Dave Moffatt and Clarrie Hall, who were three grand players. Then the second ruck, consisting of Dan Minogue, Hughie James and Donald Don, was little, if at all, inferior to the first ruck. Don was a strong, tenacious rover who had great stamina.  He also had speed and was clever when in possession of the ball, as he could turn quickly and kick accurately over distances or when passing . . .
 
When he was disqualified by the Tribunal, Don was inclined to give the game up. He felt that he had had enough, and it was only the repeated persuasions of the Richmondcommitteemen which induced him to change his mind. In addition to roving and playing forward he figured prominently across the centreline when played there.
 
The retirement of that great full-back, Victor Thorp, was a big blow to Richmond, and they were somewhat dubious as to the possibility of filling his position satisfactorily.  Hitherto Don had felt a great dislike for the full-back position, and once refused to play there. In 1927, however, he conceived a strong liking for the position, and began practising there. His good kicking and sound judgment soon fitted him admirably for the position, and Richmond selectors had no hesitation in placing him full-back.
 
Every football enthusiast knows how Don played last year. His form throughout the season was consistently good, and at times he was brilliant. Long experience enabled him to cope with the methods of the opposing forwards. Don was one of the few full-backs who held Gordon Coventry at bay.  He is always a hard trier, and is a man who bumps hard and fearlessly.  His stocky build and speed make him a formidable opponent when tearing through the crushes. Don has played for Victoria on numerous occasions, and has always performed satisfactorily.  He played for Victoria in the Carnival side last year, but was unfortunate in having his shoulder badly hurt in one match, and this kept him out of the finals. Had he been in the Richmond side, it is just possible that the Tigers would have beaten the Magpies for the premiership.  That is a big thing to say, but Don is a player of great experience, who at any time might turn possible defeat into victory . . .”
 
Donald Don fact file
Born:  17/8/1900
Height:  175cm
Playing weight:  76kg
Recruited to Richmond from:  Richmond Ramblers United
Playing position:  Rover/full-back
Guernsey number at Richmond:  No. 17
Games at Richmond (1917-1928):  158
Goals at Richmond:  157
Honors at Richmond:  Dual premiership player in 1920-1921, two-time winner of the Club’s leading goalkicker award in 1918-1919, Club life membership in 1926