It’s 40 years ago today that one of the greatest players in Richmond’s history made his senior league debut with the Club.
Dale Weightman, a member of the Tigers’ Team of the Century, dual Jack Dyer Medallist, three-time All-Australian representative, Australian Football Hall of Famer, Richmond Hall of Fame inductee and 1980 premiership hero, lined up in the 1978 opening round clash with Carlton at the MCG on April 1.
Weightman, a small, lightly-built rover, was recruited to Richmond from Mildura Imperials, which was in the heart of the Tigers’ then country zone, at the end of 1976.
He quickly worked his way through the ranks at the Club, playing in the under-19s premiership side in 1977, plus several reserve-grade matches that year.
Then, in the opening round of the ‘78 season, Weightman made the step up to senior league level, at 18 years and 180 days of age.
Selected in the forward pocket, as roving back-up to the great Kevin Bartlett, he had a dozen disposals kicked three goals, and impressed with his pace and ball use, as Richmond romped to a crushing 77-point victory over its arch rival – 25.24 (174) to 14.13 (97).
The stars for the Tigers that day were key forwards David Cloke and Allan Edwards, who booted seven goals apiece, future 1980 premiership captain Bruce Monteath, with four goals, and Bartlett, who had 29 disposals, but was a bit astray on the goalkicking front, scoring just one goal from nine shots.
There were two other debutants for Richmond that day – Caulfield VFA recruit John Einsiedel and Greg Strachan, who, like Weightman, had been a member of the Tigers’ under-19s premiership side in 1977.
Einsiedel managed to play only 11 games all-up at senior level with the Tigers, before returning to Caulfield. Strachan and Weightman, however, would go on to play significant roles in the Richmond seniors’ 1980 premiership side (Strachan as a defender and Weightman as first rover).
Weightman, affectionately known as ‘The Flea’, played a total of 274 games and kicked 344 goals for the Tigers in a wonderful career spanning 16 seasons (1978-93).
He is regarded as Richmond royalty such is the major on-field impact he had throughout that lengthy period of time within the Tigers’ team.
Round 1, 1978 match details
Richmond 5.7 12.11 18.13 25.24 (174)
Carlton 3.3 7.7 11.11 14.13 (97)
Goalkickers – Richmond: Cloke 7, Edwards 7, Monteath 4, Weightman 3, Bartlett, Dickson, Raines, Walsh.
Leading possession-winners – Richmond: Bartlett 29, Walsh 26, Cloke 24, Monteath 24, Einsiedel 22, Raines 22, Wood 22.
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