Exciting, young Richmond midfielder Sam Lalor is the latest in a long line of Tigers that attended St Patrick’s College, Ballarat.

Lalor, taken by the Tigers with the first pick overall in the recent 2024 AFL national draft, was a student at St Pat’s up to Year 10, before moving to Geelong Grammar.

Richmond’s bond with St Pat’s Ballarat goes all the way back to Maurie Sheahan, the Club’s star full-back during the 1930s.

Sheahan was at the school when Richmond won its first League football premiership in 1920. 

He subsequently formed part of the Tigers’ legendary “Three Musketeers” backline of (Martin) Bolger, Sheahan, (Kevin) O’Neill, and was a dual premiership player with the Club in 1932 and 1934.

All-up, there have been five Tigers from St Pat’s who have played in Yellow and Black premiership sides, for an overall total of 10 premierships.

Here, in alphabetical order, is the list of Richmond players who went to St Patrick’s College, Ballarat . . .

Ray Ball: 12 games, 1969-70.

Dan Butler: 45 games, 2015-19. Member of the 2017 premiership team.

Tristan Cartledge: 2 games, 2008.

Frank Dimattina: 42 games, 1964-68.

Sid Dockendorff: 13 games, 1932-33.

Frank Drum: 2 games, 1950.

Matthew Francis: 19 games, 1990-95.

Josh Gibcus: 18 games, 2022.

Shaun Grigg: 171 games, 2011-18. Member of the 2017 premiership team.

Gerry Hayes: 16 games, 1936-37.

Kevin Hogan: 15 games, 1952-53.

Jacob Hopper: 28 games, 2023-

Frank Howard: 8 games, 1943, 1948.

Basil Moloney: 21 games, 1961-63.

Barry Richardson: 125 games, 1965-74. Member of the 1967, 1969 and 1974 premiership teams.

Daniel Rioli: 137 games, 2016-22. Member of the 2017, 2019 and 2020 premiership teams.

John Sheahan: 17 games, 1962, 1965-66.

Maurie Sheahan: 121 games, 1929-36. Member of the 1932 and 1934 premiership teams.

Tom Simpson: 126 games, 1956-63.

Ian Slockwitch: 2 games, 1961.