One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => Memorable Moments => Topic started by: one-eyed on October 28, 2005, 06:35:51 AM
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Part One: TIGER CRISIS
On Wednesday, 15th August, 1990, it was revealed that 10 weeks to raise $1 million was what stood between the Club from being no more.
Then Club president Neville Crowe announced the beginning of the "Endangered species" or as it became known "Save our Skin" campaign to save the club with full page advertisements in the papers: Click here for the Advertisement Poster (http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/endangered.jpg)
Richmond appeal seeks $1 million
The Sun
Wednesday, August 15, 1990
by Tony De Bolfo
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/tiger_crisis_crowe_15081990.jpg)
RICHMOND Football Club is to make an appeal for $1 million in what may be a last-ditch bid to save the club from extinction.
A desperate call for funds will be made through an appeal labelling the Tigers an "Endangered Species".
The call for support will be made through a series of TV, press and radio advertisements.
It Is believed the club faces debts of $1.2 million, with the problems intensifying due to current high interest rates.
Richmond is obviously hoping to stir a ground-swell of support like that of last year when Footscray raised over $1.5 mllIion to save the club.
The club will announce the appeal at Punt Road this afternoon.
Last night influential club supporters were briefed by club administrators.
Puma managing director Herb Elliott and club No.1 ticket-holder Lindsay Thompson, refused to comment as they left club headquarters last night. They said any comment would have to come from club president Neville Crowe.
An agitated Crowe refused to elaborate on plans to fight Richmond's economic plight and said the details would be outlined at today's press conference.
General manager Cameron Schwab also refused to make any comment.
Richmond's woes increased with the recent collapse of the Estate Mortgage Group, which is believed to have contributed $30,000 to the club earlier this season.
Richmond was believed to be negotiating a major on-going sponsorship with the defunct group before it folded. Richmond's major sponsor since 1988 has been the Transport Accident Commission, with sponsorship for 1988-89 totalling $325.000. This year's sponsorship is believed to be $200,000 but the agreemen is to be reviewed on an annual basis so the Tigers have no guarantee of on-going financial backing.
It is the second time in less than a year Richmond has had to go to its members for financial support. In October last year a rally at the MCG raised $180,000.
Crowe's involvement with Richmond goes back to 1957 when he was a player and later as an administrator. He was captain from 1963-66 and won the best and fairest three times. He became the club's third president in the one season in 1987 when he succeeded Bm Durham who took over from Alan Bond.
When he took over as president he said his main aim was to get the club back into a winning frame which he felt "is just a whisker away".
"And secondly, of course, to absolutely ensure our long-term existence in the football competition as it is at the moment."
"I've played in sides when I've felt the pain just like the RIchmond supporters out there have felt the pain - of losing and the heartache that goes with it.
"It's the old cliche of winners make it happen and losers let it happen ... and I can assure you that at Richmond we don't intend to let anything more of this losing strain take place."
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TIGERS ARE CORNERED
The Sun
By Tony De Bolfo
Thursday, 16 August, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/kb_crowe_16081990.jpg)
IN 10 weeks, the 106-year-old Richmond Football Club could be dead.
If the club does not raise $1 million between now and October 31, it faces three options - merging, relocation or liquidation.
At Punt Road yesterday, Richmond president Neville Crowe, flanked by general manager Cameron Schwah and coach Kevln Bartlett, said the Tigers' major problems were:
* Richmond's current deficit of $1.25 million, with interest costs to service tbe club's bank overdraft currently at $285,000 per annum, or $5000 per week.
* The Social Club's shutdown, which has cost the club thousands of dollars.
* Unforseen legal obligations governing the social club problems, as well as inherited settlements to past coaches and players.
Crowe warned of the consequences facing the club and its directors if Richmond failed to satisfy its bankers.
"Unless we come up with that million dollars in the next couple of months, the alternatives are totally abhorrent, bnt we've got to look at them." Crowe said.
"It's an uphill battle. I guess you could call it 'catch-up footy' in today's terminology if you like."
But the AFL immediately dismissed one of the options when it said it would not allow a merger.
Crowe did not regard it as unreasonable or unfair that his club should again seek financial SOS from its supporters, this time to the tune of $1 million - six times the $165,000 acquired from those supporters following a rally at the MCG last October.
During yesterday's press conference in the committee room at the old Punt Road Oval, Crowe ta1ked of Richmond's catastrophic demise in the eight years since it last played off for what would have been its 11th premiership, brought about through indiscriminate chequebook recruiting.
He said that Richmond, which recorded profits of $7,032 in 1988 and $261,630 last year, first became aware of the problems back in 1987 through the investigations of its financial director Michael Humphris.
Titanic
"What a tragedy it would be if Richmond supporters (and quite frankly all football fans) ignored our desperate plea for help and let the club do a 'Titanic' and slip rapidly to its grave," Crowe said.
"We do not want to be forced into the same position that Footscxay found itself in late last year before our supporters shake off their aparthy and make a decision.
"That decision should be: 'They will not take my footbal1 club away from me. No way! Under no circumstances!'
"I can promise you while I've got breath in my body no-one's going to take my football club away from me.
"We're not giving up, that's one thing that is for sure. We're going to fight on like you've never seen before."
He also voiced his club's total opposition to the Port Adelaide-AFL proposal in its current form, regardless of the financial inducement offered.
He said he could understand the AFL's intention to include Port Adelaide as the 15th league team."but meanwhile the Richmonds and the Fitzoys and the North Melbournes are sitting on the razor's edge ready to be tipped over".
"And no-one's going to do anything about it, except the Richmond supporters I hope and football supporters generally," Crowe said.
Crowe revealed that registered membership figures had dropped from 12,000 in Richmond's premiership year of 1980 to 5000 in 1990.
"There are 7000 people out there who claim to be Richmond supporters but somehow they don't make a financial contribution by buying a membership ticket." he said.
"So I hope those pretenders, if you like, will stand up and be counted."
Crowe added that an apparent apathy towards Richmond was what required urgent and immediate attention.
"You know, it's that 'I don't care'. 'I don't really care enough', 'she'll be right mate' attitude." Crowe said.
Prepared
"Well I can assure you she won't be bloody alright mate, unIess people are prepared to come and do what we believe they ought to do."
Richmond's last ditch "Save our Skin Fund", will be extensively advertised through newspapers, television and radio.
Though there is an obvious doubt as to where the finances to cover such advertising will eminate, Crowe suggested they might come from donations.
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TIGERS RALLY
By TONY DE BOLFO
The Sun
Thursday, August 16, 1990
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/kb_dunne_16081990.jpg)
RICHMOND coach Kevin Bartlett, arguably Punt Road's greatest player, has called on his players to rally behind the club in its last-ditch bid for survival.
Bartlett, the AFL games record-holder with 403, five-time Richmond hest and fairest winner, five time premiership player, and Richmond coach of the past three seasons, said player response had been positive during Tuesday night's urgent briefing.
"I think they were very concemed and at the same very supportive of the club," he said yesterday.
".__.__, they've certainly pledged their support.
"I know players are talking about ways they can get together to help the club.
"Like everyone else, they're extremely keen to see the club survive and survive in a manner that wi1l make it competitive."
Bartlett warned that while Richmond had never asked its players to take pay cuts, "that's something the club may have to look at if we don't have enough support".
And would he be prepared to take a pay cut?
"I think we've said before that whatever sacrifices have to be made for the Richmond Football Club to survive have to be made," Bartlett said.
Though Bartlett, club president Nevllle Crowe and general manager Cameron Schwab refused to level the blame at anybody for Richmond's financial plight, Bartlett made his feelings clear on what he believed were gung-ho activities of previous administrations.
"Most people know that in days gone by clubs tried to win premierships with large sums of money spent on players who proved to be duds. No good.
"And therefore there was a lot of money spent on getting players to the club, with no success.
"Certainly since I've been here and Neville's been here as president we inherited a debt which has made it difficult for us to he competitive in the market of gaining players.
"Now we've had a youth policy and that's been very very successful ... at the same time it would he nice if we could have run, in conjunction with that, a senior policy."
Bartlett said it would have been easy to have gone into that marketplace and been irresponsible.
"But over the past three years we've been as responsible as any person could possibly be in not being in that marketplace," Bartlett said.
Richmond's player salary cap is $950.000, compared with the AFL's level of $1.4 million.
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WEIGHTMAN LEADS PLAYERS' RESPONSE
The Sun
Thursday, August 16, 1990
As the football world last night wondered what would become of Richmond, one man was clear where the Tigers were headed.
It was business-as-usual for Richmond skipper, and veteran of 232 games, Dale Weightman at training and he had a message - Richmond will not die.
But while he was confident the club would survive, he did concede the problem was the most serious ever to confront Richmond.
Weightman said the players' contribution to the 'endangered species" drive could start on Saturday.
"What we can do for a start, is to win a few games. The last three games are very important and the players realise they're mutually playing for their livelihood." he said
The Richmond team was called to a meeting on Tuesday night, where Tiger President Neville Crowe gave the players full details of the club's plight.
From the outset, the players were 100 percent behind the administration.
"They told us up front what's happening and we're an behind them and ready to get into it this week," Weightman said.
And plans are underway for the players' own, different money-raising effort.
"There's a few talented blokes out there and a few funny men, so you never know what we might organise," he said.
Weightman was adamant the players were firmly behind the administration under Neville Crowe. "They've done a great job. We came fourth last in 1988 and last year, and both times we've made a profit. Everyone to do with Richmond - supporters, trainers, players - they're all part of the club," he said.
The team will use the events of the past 48 hours as a morale booster for on-field success. "We're fighting for our club. If it goes, a lot of us will go too," he said.
He said Richmond had one of the league's biggest followings, which could join together and save the club.
"I remember in 1980, we were the first club ever to pull in a million people in a season." he said.
He agreed sacrifices bad to be made, and the players would be prepared to discuss pay cuts. "If it comes to that we'd be prepared to sit down and talk about it."
After 14 years at Richmond, his only club, Weightman said he was confident the loyalty of players and supporters would keep them alive.
There's thousands of people behind this club that won't sit down and let us die. We'll survive."
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PLEA TO YOUNG AT HART
By Bruce Matthews
The Sun
Thursday, August 16, 1990
RICHMOND'S legendary centre half-forward Royce Hart last night targeted the youngsters of his playing days as the group to help pull his old club out of its financial mire.
Hart appealed to those hero-worshippers, now young family men, to recall the good times in the Tigers' fight for survival.
"There were hundreds of kids running around in Richmond jumpers when I was playing," Hart said.
"Richmond was the popular team to follow in the 60s, the 70s and the early 80s. Those young supporters are now grown up and in the workforce and community.
This is the time to show their loyalty to the club they followed through the good years. They are the people who could be the key to it (survival)," he said.
Hart played 204 games for the Tigers from 1967 to 1977. He was a key member of 1967, '69, '73 and '74 premiership teams, skipper in '73 and '74.
"It's not as if Richmond has been down and out, it's not a club which has been struggling for 50 years. It won its last premiership only 10 years ago." Hart said.
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TIGERS ZONED OUT
By Tommy Hafey
The Sun
Thursday, August 16, 1990
ITS IRONIC the heady days of Richmond in the 1960s and 70s are part of the reason the club is now facing problems.
The club had been on the chopping block for more than 20 years when a vigorous management headed by Graeme Richmond took to the bush and suburbs looking for talent.
I have no doubt the introduction of country zoning meant the end of the golden days for Richmond.
I remember I was at Shepparton when Richmond arrived wanting to know if there were any likely prospects. He only wanted to know about blokes who could run and kick.
The Tigers hadn't won a flag since 1943 when we won in '67, and hadn't been in the finals for 20 years.
In that side we had Geoff Strang (Albury), Francis Bourke (Nathalia), Dick Clay (Kyabram), John Northey (Derrinalum). Barry Richardson and John Perry (both Wodonga). We also had Royce Hart who was recruited from Clarence in Tasmania as a 16 year-old and youngsters from the suburbs like Kevin Bartlett, Graham Burgin, Bill Barrott, Tony Jewell and Michael Green. The side also included veterans such as Roger Dean, Fred Swift, Neville Crowe, Paddy Guinane, Max Richardson and Mike Patterson.
Then in 1969 we grabbed Eric Moore from Coleraine, Ian Owen from Echuca, Michael Perry and Michael Bowden.
Another youngester we got was Kevin Sheedy. The only interstate player of any significance was Colin Beard.
It was about that time country zones came into being. It was one of the worst things that happened to the Richmond Football Club.
We were strongly against country zoning. If you were on the bottom, you deserved it. No one knew that better than we did because we had been there for 20 years. The only support Richmond received on the zoning issue came from Geelong and Collingwood: ironically these three clubs ended up with the three least productive zones.
It also sparked the dominance of Hawthorn and Carlton which, after zoning came into place, won 13 of the next 22 flags, taking the runner-up title six times as well. Hawthorn had the Peninsula and Gippsland areas and Carlton the Bendigo district.
Richmond won flags again in 1973-74, but that was because of active recruiting from other league clubs. These players included Gareth Andrews. Robert McGhie, Wayne Walsh, David Thorpe, Paul Sproule, Ian Stewart and Stephen Rae.
The club was forced to do that because there was nothing really coming through from the country or suburban zones.
Even the implementation of the country zones was messed up.
First it was to be for a three-year period, which was extended by another two years because clubs felt the capabilities of the players couldn't be assessed properly in that time. However through a bungle, that rotation period was never altered in the official minutes. It then meant a three-quarter majority was needed to change the rule. By this time clubs knew when they were onto a good thing, and obviously the majority wouldn't change.
Revenge
After that it was a case of trying to beg, borrow or steal players. And certainly Richmond didn't help themselves when there was a certain element of revenge when it went chasing Collingwood players. The Magpies had grabbed Geoff Raines, Brian Taylor and David Cloke so the Tigers went for Phillip Walsh, John Annear, Craig Stewart, Peter McCormack, Wally Lovett and others.
The present financial problems are probably a legacy of the huge transfer fees Richmond had to pay in their bid to get even with the Magpies. Richmond now faces the problem of not having the nucleus of about 30 good players needed to be a top side.
Consequently good draft players are thrown in at the deep end and do not get the chance to settle in and be nurtured. They find themselves up against the likes of Brereton, Millane, Kernahan, Loewe and others before they are properly ready.
It doesn't matter who the coach is, it is very difficult to put together a competitive side under those conditions.
The drop in attendances is a by-product of lack of success, and Richmond proved in those heady years how important the crowds were. The MCG used to bubble in those days, and if there was an empty seat, we would want to know why.
It's very sad that a side which was such a power, winning five of the past 22 premierships, is now battling for survival.
-with SIMON TOWNLEY
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COUNCIL URGES FANS TO RALLY TO BANNER
By BRUCE MATTHEWS
The Sun
Thursday, August 16, 1990
RICHMOND City Council last night implored all football supporters to aid the Tigers' fight to avoid extinction.
"Footscray late last year was able to engender outside help, and not just from Footscray supporters," RCC chief executive David Williams said.
"I'm sure no one wants to see one of the great clubs of this city go under."
He hoped Richmond's plight would draw similar wide support to Footscray's.
Richmond, like Fitzroy and North Melbourne, had endured a gradual eroding of the local supporter base with the changing social face of Melbourne's Inner suburbs.
"It's my belief the decline of local support goes back 15 to 20 years when players began to be recruited from all over Victoria and Interstate and players started swapping between clubs," he said.
"The changing of the grounds also affected local support. Football at Punt Road was a Saturday afternoon tradition years ago.
"Richmond's socio-economic level was such that there was not much spare money and footy was their escape.
"It mattered little that Richmond wasn't successful. They would cheer their local heroes, players like "Mopsy" Fraser and Jack Dyer. Probably, the last local hero was Kevin Bartlett.
"Richmond has changed greatly since then, with half the people born in non-English speaking countries where the round ball is popular.
"The Richmond community will be diminished if the Richmond Football Club folds.
"We understand the debt is crippling, particularly with the interest rates. If the club gets that monkey off its back, it can be competitive.
"We at the council wish them all the best."
The Big Drop
RICHMOND last made the finals in 1982 when it was runner-up to Carlton.
Since the height of its success, after a premiership in 1980, its attendances have dropped by more than half.
Ironically, this has seen a turnaround in the steady fall, with attendances already nearly 40,000 up on 1989.
HOME ATTENDANCES 1981-1990
1981...... 408,859
1982...... 397,249
1983…... 376,519
1984...... 327,524
1985...... 231,073
1986...... 227,766
1987...... 176,193
1988...... 168,201
1989...... 157,207
1990*…... 195,802
*Only 9 games so far.
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AFL rejects merger role
By Bruce Matthews
The Sun
Thursday, August 16, 1990
RICHMOND merging with another elub is not an alternative, according to the AFL commission.
Chief commissioner Ross Oakley last night ruled out league intervention to the embattled TIgers.
Mindful of the backlash from the abortive Footscray-Fltzroy plan last October, the AFL is prepared to let clubs sink or swim from their finanical mire.
But Oakley reiterated Rlchmond was part of future national competition plans, and urged supporters to back the salvage operation announced yesterday.
Oakley said the AFL was yesterday made aware of the Tigers' campaign to raise $1 million.
"We are most concerned that according to Richmond president Neville Crowe, the club 'is poised directly on the brink of extinction'.
"I would like to stress the following: Richmond is a critical element in the future of the AFL.
"The club has a great tradition and we urge its huge supporter base to get behind the campaign announced today.
"The AFL commission has not, and will not, talk with any party about the idea of Richmond merging with another club.
After the Hobart conference last year, Richmond advised that it was not interested in merging with another club."
Oakley said the commission was disappointed with Crowe's comments relating to the Port Adelaide bid to join the AFL.
"The AFL Commission would not be recommending that Port Adelaide enter the competition if it meant any of the existing clubs
were disadvantaged.
"Financially, each of the current clubs will benefit as a result of Port Adelaide's entry.
"As a result of the move to the national competition, the AFL Commission believes that all clubs should be able to survive due to the increased revenue flowing from an expanded AFL."
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CLUBS BACK RICHMOND
By Mick Atkins and Tony De Bolfo
The Sun
Friday, August 17, 1990
GEELONG became the first AFL club to lend a hand to debt stricken Richmond yesterday when it donated Gary Ablett's jumper to be raffled at tomorrow's match. Dale Weightman's jumper will also be raffled by the Tigers' cheer squad and there will be a can shake outside the MCG.
On Sunday more than 10,000 letters will be sent out to Richmond and AFL Park members asking for support.
Collingwood president Allan McAlister and Footscray business manager Dennis Galimberti both confirmed their clubs would make significant donations.
And Richmond deputy vice-president and millionaire businessman Gary Krauss has pledged more money. Krauss has already saved the club from extinction with a $400,000 interest free loan in November 1985. Only $100.000 of that has been repaid. Krauss insists that his further contribution alone won't save Richmond and it will take the efforts of every member.
Galimberti said his club was willing to help Richmond in any way it can.We support their cause. We can join in with them in their fundraising," he said.
Offers have flooded in since Wednesday's announcement that unless the Tigers wiped their $1 million debt by October 31 they would be forced to merge, relocate or liquidate.
Fitzroy has admitted that like Richmond, it is also in debt - to the tune of $700,000 - and said it would soon announce a proposal to clear the slate.
The Townhouse Hotel in Carlton has offered to donate 350 three course meals in their banquet room to the cause. Fanatical Collingwood supporter and entertainer Colleen Hewitt has also volunteered her services.
The Tigers' biggest fundraiser will be their club rally next Thursday at the MCG. There will also be a past "legends" match between former Richmond and Carlton players on September 23.
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First Game after Campaign Launch: Round 20, 1990 - Richmond vs Geelong
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/geelong_score.jpg)(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/geelong_stats.jpg)
HUNGRY RUES LACK OF DEPTH
By Glen Quartermain
The Sunday Sun
August 19, 1990
FRUSTRATED Richmond coach Kevin Bartlett last night linked the Tigers' 64-point loss to Geelong with their current financial plight.
Bartlett said money bought player depth and Richmond was lacking in both.
"Today was a demonstration of how much assistance we need," Bartlett said.
"Hopefully it can escalate the assistance …and make people realize the club's need for depth and money to survive.
"It has been shown to us that unless we can have our best 20 on the ground we can struggle."
Bartlett suggested the club was lacking key position players - a deficiency which was highlighted by Geelong forward Gary Ablett's 12-goal haul.
The Tigers' coach used three players on the star Cat yesterday, with Jeff Hogg achieving the best result, conceding only two goals.
But when Hogg was shifted into defence, the Tigers lost their chief goal-kicker, a factor Bartlett said highlighted the club's lack of depth.
"If you haven't got them in round one, you haven't got them in round 20, so we need the Richmond supporters to support us in a very difficult financial situation." he said.
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EYES OF THE TIGERS LIGHT UP IN HOPE
By Glen Quartermain
The Sunday Sun
Sunday, August 19, 1990
RICHMOND officials were buoyant after an overwhelming response to their survival campaign at the MCG yesterday.
Football supporters yesterday pledged thousands of dollars in tin collection and raffles around the ground as the club fights to raise $1 million by October 31.
Richmond general manager Cameron Schwab said the club had netted $10,000 in cash.
While Schwab was optimistic the club would claw its way closer to the $1 million target over the next few weeks, he said it would still take an enormous effort to save the club from merging, relocation or at worst liquidation."
Schwab conceded the Tigers were pessimistic about raising $1 million when the "Save Our Skin" was launched last Wednesday.
"But we have been buoyed by the enthusiasm showed not just by Richmond people but all football fans to support the club," he said.
Several AFL clubs have already pledged their support, including Geelong, Essendon, Carlton and Footscray, while Collingwood has indicated it will make a financial donation.
The Cats yesterday donated Gary Ablett's guernsey which it raffled off during the game, while donations from supporters were highlighted by a $50.40 pledge from seven year-old Tiger fan Christopher O'Brien late last week.
But the Tigers are expecting their biggest windfall to come from a "Save Our Skin" rally to be held next Sunday from 11am at the MCG.
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Great clippings one-eyed, very nicely done.
I remember that loss in Round 20, I was there, and just gutted, I've never felt so bad about footy. I am so glad those days are behind us. Well, nearly.
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Great clippings one-eyed, very nicely done.
I remember that loss in Round 20, I was there, and just gutted, I've never felt so bad about footy. I am so glad those days are behind us. Well, nearly.
It wouldn't be a Geelong game in those days without a lazy bag of 12 from Ablett :help.
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I was sorting through some stuff at Ma Powell's place over the weekend and came across a receipt for her donation to the SOS campaign. She parted with $50 which was alot of $$$ to a pensioner back then and probably still is now :thumbsup
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It wouldn't be a Geelong game in those days without a lazy bag of 12 from Ablett :help.
Well, I'm glad I missed Dunstall's near league record against us!
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Up here in Queensland, you didn't hear much about the "Save our Skins" campaign. I think there might have been a pic in the newspaper of Jack Dyer but that was about it.
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Well, I'm glad I missed Dunstall's near league record against us!
IIRC poor Scotty Turner was on him for most of that. But Scotty got his revenge on Dunstall in 1995 holding him goal-less :thumbsup.
Where was flooding and Spud dragging nearly everyone behind the centre after half-time when we needed it against Ablett, Dunstall and Lockett ;D.
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Fair Game
Sam Newman goes Head to Head with Graeme Richmond
The Sun
Wednesday, August 22, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/GR_sketch.jpg)
Since 1909 Richmond Football Club has prowled the league scene and for 26 years before then, the association. But now, like mentor Graeme Richmond, the club faces the ultimate challenge – survival. When you think of Richmond, you think of Richmond. Ironically, both are facing a future of uncertainty. While the great club is ailing financially the great man is fighting to regain his health. For almost a quarter of a century he was the inspiration behind it, overseeing seven grand final appearances, with flags in 1967, 1969, 1973-74 and 1980. He’s done the books at Tigerland, been recruiting, coached, managed the team, been elected vice-president and been a selector – a talent he currently employs at state level. Today GRAEME RICHMOND goes Head to Head with SAM NEWMAN about the problems of big game hunting.
Newman: It looks like the cage doors are about to shut at Tigerland.
Richmond: It’s exceptionally grim and unless the Richmond people rally to the cause it’s possible a team, that eight years ago played in a grand final, will be the first victim of financial pressures.
Newman: Can you see Richmond surviving?
Richmond: Yes. Many good people at Richmond would be concerned …
Newman: ..... even though only 16,000 turned up to a survival game last Saturday?
Richmond: It was disappointing, but I think next Sunday (rally at MCG) will be the litmus test. That will give the club a direct indication as to its future.
Newman: Would you be heartbroken if the inevitable happened?
Richmond: It would be an absolute tragedy. I’d be devastated. It’s been such an enormous part of my own life – like it has for the thousands who have played for, and served, the club. It’s a club with a magnificent history – we’ve won 10 premierships, many of them in recent times.
Newman: In AFL circles your opinion would be highly regarded so …
Richmond: ..... well, I’d regard myself as yesterday’s man, to be honest with you.
Newman: You’re a current state selector.
Richmond: Yes, but I’m not active on the administrative side so I’d say my opinions are not sought after and maybe not valid at the moment.
Newman: Well, as the most experienced Richmond man ever, I’m seeking your opinion on where Richmond has gone wrong. After all, they were grand finalists in ’82.
Richmond: Richmond is suffering from an imbalance of inexperienced young players and competent, experienced ones.
Newman: And whose fault is that?
Richmond: It’s an administration fault that’s run over a period of between seven and 10 years. The backbone of the successful clubs rests with the ability of the top seven or eight players who have played between six and 12 years of football.
Newman: Is it just a coincidence that seven or 10 years is the period you’ve been away from the club?
Richmond: I’m not saying that, but I’d say the administration at Richmond in the ‘80s have a lot to answer for because the team just hasn’t got the competency or depth of senior players which the whole show revolves around. There’s very few Royce Harts or John Colemans that walk into football these days and are overnight sensations.
Newman: You went down to Tasmania and got the young Royce Hart, didn’t you?
Richmond: Yes, but you must realise Royce wasn’t an outright champion at that stage. He developed through our under-19s and reserve-grade teams in 1966. His remarkable leap forward occurred over the summer of 1966-67. He worked very hard in the gym and came out in ’67 and matched his physique with his skills.
Newman: Would you see a parallel between a side like Carlton today and Richmond in the early ‘80s?
Richmond: Carlton has one of the best football administrators in the game in Ian Collins, but they are one of the first victims of the draft. This is something supporters of the leading clubs are going to have to get used to. The AFL’s charter is to conduct a well-balanced competition. It was obvious it was becoming a gross imbalance because some of the clubs were so competent with their marketing and fund raising they were putting themselves into the situation where the cheque book ruled the roost.
Newman: Like Richmond did.
Richmond: Yes. That could have been said of them in the ‘60s and ‘70s because we were one of the first to be able to raise money through more traditional sources and use that money to recruit players.
Newman: Like when you went down to Tassie and offered Royce Hart two thousand quid ($4000).
Richmond: No, we didn’t. No, we did not. Anyhow, this is no longer possible, of course. This is where Carlton are feeling the pinch and ultimately Hawthorn will feel it too – where they no longer have the advantage of a magnificent country zone.
Newman: I got the name wrong. You offered Peter Hudson two thousand quid.
Richmond: I did, most certainly. That’s correct now. Peter was always pretty keen to make every post a winner, but the principle prevailed and the magnificent work Ron Cook (Hawthorn) had done on the Hudsons prevailed when Peter’s form four ran out.
Newman: Did the Richmond club just load you up with money and chuff you off to all points of the compass?
Richmond: We had a very good side, but our forward line was revolving around Pat Guinane and John Northey, so I thought Peter would be better suited at the MCG. Little did I know that John Kennedy (then Hawthorn coach) was going to devise a plan for Glenferrie Oval by keeping the forward line virtually free of players to accommodate Hudson’s quick movements.
Newman: So Richmond’s decision to procure Peter Hudson was, in fact, outside the league’s recruiting guidelines?
Richmond: Seeing as none of these decisions are now retrospective, yes, we probably bent the system, but our charter was to do the best for our club – which we did. One of the great things about our game is that we do breed a series of desperate men in charge who’ll virtually do anything they believe they can get away with.
Newman: What tricks would they have up their sleeves at this particular stage?
Richmond: Firstly, the public and corporate sectors must be approached. If all else failed, concerned money people must be put into a position to form a financial backing.
Newman: They may think they’d be putting good money after bad.
Richmond: I think the board would have to be prepared to look at its position because people who are prepared to put up money in substantial lumps will want some say over the conduct of the club affairs.
Newman: That’s more or less buying the right to decide the club’s direction.
Richmond: Pretty much so, but that’s the disaster scenario they’re facing as a last resort. It could be a benevolent ownership rather than a dictatorship, but there has to be some collateral available to the members. That would seem to me to be in the form of a licence.
Newman: Another privately-owned club?
Richmond: There are all sorts of structures available that can circumvent private ownership as such. It would also need a couple of years of pretty dramatic recruiting. If other clubs are genuinely concerned about the Richmonds and Fitzroys, then benefits given to the interstate teams should be extended to those other ailing clubs.
Newman: So you think the traditional clubs have been discriminated against, do you?
Richmond: No, but the discrepancy hasn’t been pushed forcefully enough. It needs reappraising.
Newman: Can you see Brideshead being revisited and instead of the summer of ’89 embracing Fitzroy and Footscray, the summer of ’90 may well be Richmond and Fitzroy?
Richmond: It’s not palatable to either club’s supporters, but in the absolute point of last resort, these scenarios have to be considered.
Newman: At least the teams would be kept in the big cat family. Is Kevin Bartlett the right man to coach Richmond?
Richmond: I’d say he’s doing a remarkably good job. To coach the Tigers for the past three years has been a real test. He was really on a hiding to nothing when he took on the job. He probably was a bit more optimistic in that he thought he could turn some things around.
Newman: Like what?
Richmond: I think he thought he could handle a few of the inconsistent players a bit better than his predecessor. He had a good first year and the blokes who grizzled and groaned previously went under the blankets a bit but, when everyone got used to it, the age-old problems emerged – Geelong is a classic example this year. The second year of coaching is the critical one.
Newman: Do you think Richmond’s 12th spot is their true standard?
Richmond: Every club has injuries but Richmond’s have been horrific. Richmond should have at least held their ground from ’88 (10th) to ’89 (bottom).
Newman: What is the first ability you’d appoint a coach on?
Richmond: A knowledge of the game and his ability to impart it. Many great players have been coaches but can’t communicate. Jack Dyer had a very simple philosophy. He said: “you get the players and we’ll win the games – everything else will be put to rest. We’ll get someone to look after the books and run the whole show. It’ amazing how smoothly everything runs when you’re winning”.
Newman: Meaning, if you had the right players, the coach was incidental?
Richmond: We’d been very well handed by Len Smith (then Richmond coach) in the mid-60s. Len virtually taught us how to play. He took us from the prop and cop game to the game Geelong used to play in the ‘50s – playing on off their half-back line. Len then went to Fitzroy and, when they played us, we didn’t know what hit us. I used to go and watch Fitzroy train when I was Richmond’s under-19s coach and came to the conclusion we’d have to get someone to teach us some new tricks.
Newman: So you went to Shepparton and got Tom Hafey. What did you think his particular talent was?
Richmond: To everybody’s horror we went and got Tommy but Tommy was a much better player than his record indicated at Richmond. He was a tremendous mark, a magnificent kick and iron tough but he made the fatal mistake of going into a milkbar and I’ve no doubt the long hours sent his football down the gurgler pretty quickly. Tommy and Jack Hamilton were the first two players I knew to train on weights. Everybody was terrified you’d become muscle bound and go stale but one of the so-called skills of being a coach was to judge when a player was fit and, thus, blokes would invariably get nights off training in case they got overfit and stale.
Newman: And Tom changed all that.
Richmond: Earlier, we’d brought in blokes like Harry Gallagher, Percy Cerutty and Franz Stampfl, who convinced us we weren’t training hard enough and that fear of training too hard was all rubbish – it was in the mind. They said that, in a pecking order of fitness on a world scale, footballers were disgracefully unfit. I don’t mind telling you our ears did prick up. We’d had a fitness adviser called Barry Stanton, an Australian 400m hurdles champion, who’d been hammering on this point for a while. In the end, we reckoned not all these blokes could be dills, so we introduced an extra training night on Wednesdays and a “running out” period on Sunday mornings.
Newman: So, you were to blame for Sunday morning training. I often wondered who was responsible for that.
Richmond: All this was right up Tommy’s alley, as Len (Smith) was a brilliant tactician, but a gentle man. Tom brought an edge of hardness to us and he went along with our style of handball and long kicking. I’d also like to point out we tried to get Ted Whitten from Footscray after we’d failed with Peter Hudson. I’d been tremendously impressed with Ted in the ’66 carnival in Hobart.
Newman: Did you offer Ted the mandatory two thousand quid, or had we moved into decimals at this stage?
Richmond: Ted had got the boot as coach from Footscray (’66) and was pretty sore about it, so I tried to get up his jumper a bit – I even rang him on Christmas morning to wish him well. But full marks to Ted, I think he copped a bit of flak about Footscray’s recent revival because the people thought he was AFL-oriented, but no one went closer than me to get him out of the red, white and blue. But, when the crunch came, he just couldn’t see himself playing for anyone else than the Dogs. I’d also like to point out we had a very strong go at John Newman a few years ago and, to his credit as well – I mean Geelong weren’t going any good and we had plenty of dough …
Newman: I should have taken it.
Richmond: I know you don’t mean that. If we trace Richmond’s predicament we get back to ’83 when, over summer, we lost Bryan Wood to Essendon, our captain David Cloke and our most naturally-talented player, Geoff Raines, to Collingwood.
Newman: Well, you sacked Raines.
Richmond: We never did. We didn’t pay him what Collingwood had offered in their financial stupidity of the day. Not only did it make Collingwood broke, but it bankrupted Richmond of its talent in the process.
Newman: Are you saying David Cloke and Geoff Raines didn’t have the same ethics as Ted Whitten or Peter Hudson?
Richmond: I think they were a bit sore about some other matters as well, but it was disappointing, particularly as they had developed through our junior teams. People who changed their religion or politics were considered heretics in those days. The closest thing in my lifetime to that would be to change Richmond to Collingwood and, while Victoria St divided the two, never the twain did meet. Harry Dyke, our late and great president, would stand up on a Thursday night before we played Collingwood, take his hat off, and quote Lord Nelson: “I expect every man to do his duty” – and they invariably did. Cloke and Raines going was a very bitter pill to swallow.
Newman: Maybe you need Harry and his hat down there now.
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Riches to Rags
- Continuing the story of a fight for survival by a man and his club.
Sam Newman goes Head to Head with Graeme Richmond
The Sun
Thursday, August 23, 1990.
Old Tiger digs deep to save beloved cubs
Newman: What mistakes did you make at Richmond?
Richmond: Until the arrival of Cameron Schwab, we didn’t adequately replace Alan Schwab – who left us at the end of ’76 to return to the league. He was the last of the great Richmond administrators . Richmond has suffered since. The basis of success in a club is a good president, secretary, coach and doctor.
Newman: Could we take it from this that you don’t think Richmond has had a good president, secretary, coach and doctor since Alan Schwab left?
Richmond: Neville Crowe is a well-received populist leader and the committee has several competent members.
Newman: So competent they’re about to go out of business.
Richmond: The inherited deficit of the mid-80s has been impossible to overcome especially as the team had struggled onfield. Richmond were very lucky in the halcyon times because Ray Dunn (ex Richmond president) organised the move of Richmond to the MCG and this launched the Tigers financially.
Newman: Obviously someone has scuttled the ship.
Richmond: Ray was succeeded by Al Boord as president. He was president in ’73 when we won the flag and had formerly been chairman of our very powerful financial executive. Then Ian Wilson succeeded him and “Octa” was almost peerless in his capacity as president of Richmond. He gave the club style and flair.
Newman: He loved those walks around the boundary before the game – especially during the finals.
Richmond: He was a ferocious fighter for the club at the league. His fights at the league table have gone down in its history and he’s become almost a mythical figure. His fights were both physical and verbal, I might add. You had to be a very good in-fighter in those days to make sure your club got a fair crack of the whip.
Newman: This is maybe why there is an AFL Commission now.
Richmond: But the success of any club is – you’ve only got to look at Hawthorn. OK, we can all grimace over the zone they got and whereas the zones were meant to be redrawn every three years, that convention very smartly went down the gurgler when the clubs realised what a good wicket they were on. They forgot about the next stage and decided to stick with the status quo. But Ron Cook, another of the great football administrators I’ve known, was smart enough to have Hawthorn capitalise on what they had.
Newman: Who has been the best football administrator?
Richmond: Alan Schwab – by a street. The best grass roots and practical administrator in the game.
Newman: If he’s so good, perhaps he should have Ross Oakley’s job.
Richmond: No, I think Ross is very, very good in his role. Ross has grasped a very difficult portfolio and walked into the job in the tough times of interstate football, TV rights and the like. I think he’s grown in the job and I think the league is very fortunate to have both doing the jobs they are.
Newman: I assume, that as you’ve fought valiantly for the success of Richmond in a local competition, you’re opposed to a national league.
Richmond: I can tell you quite truthfully that I’ve been a proponent of the expansion of the VFL competition going back to the early ‘70s. When Richmond and North Melbourne played practice matches two years in a row on the Gabba in Brisbane, which was a crook ground for our game, we were absolutely stunned at the enthusiasm they received. We played in pouring rain both years and you couldn’t have got an ant into the place. Sydney had to happen, but it would have been better if a pincer movement had tone to Queensland first – and not to the Gold Coast. I’ve no doubt the national comp will continue to be an outstanding success as we move into the ‘90s.
Newman: Meaning it already is?
Richmond: Look, there were difficulties in 1926 when the league brought in Footscray, North Melbourne and Hawthorn. They were an embarrassment. They couldn’t beat an egg.
Newman: And now Port Adelaide looks like compounding the situation.
Richmond: South Australian football is going backwards and the standard of its game is not good. Naturally they are looking to preserve their competition, but the exercise that’s been done on the financial viability of a team in Adelaide – well, all I can say is that if they want any shareholders, count me in. I think it would be an outstanding success. It’s a bit disappointing where, I believe, we’ve opened the door to SA and SA have continually slammed it shut. There have been all sorts of machinations gone on from the SA side that haven’t amounted to anything when it’s come to the real crunch. The AFL have forced them to the negotiating table by a very clever tactical ploy. Now it’s up to wiser heads to prevail.
Newman: Do you have any reservations about today’s game?
Richmond: It’s a changing, softer society than the one I grew up in. We came out of depressions and wars, and it was an accepted way of life. Currently, there’s tremendous apprehension about being knocked around too much outside the rules. We must be pragmatic because the good old days are gone. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The league is experiencing its most successful season, in terms of attendances, ever. They must be doing something right.
Newman: That’s of little comfort to Richmond and a few others, who are really struggling.
Richmond: The point I’m making is that the structure of the game, introduction of the player draft and the salary cap have all had an effect on restoring people’s confidence in the game. This confidence wavered drastically in the early ‘80s as player went from club to club, were paid outrageous salaries, huge transfer fees and it all put the game in jeopardy.
Newman: So why do you think Ross Oakley boycotted a radio station last Saturday?
Richmond: I suppose they (AFL) have to have an ability to register. They’re in a position to be well and truly shot at, but people who are competitive by nature like to have some sort of comeback. They’ve obvious taken umbrage to Peter Keenan’s comments which, frankly, I thought were unjustified, and that’s their protest. They have very little other form of recourse. I must say, if I was in their position, I would certainly have answered in some shape or form, but it’s not always possible to turn the other cheek. I’d like to remind those who wonder about Oakley’s credentials that he was a very good St Kilda player who had the misfortune to be injured when St Kilda won its 1966 premiership. He was also coach of Collegians in the A-grade amateurs so he’s no mug as far as football’s concerned. The competition, with the exception of the bottom clubs, is in outstanding shape.
Newman: Isn’t that a contradiction in terms?
Richmond: I’m quite certain help for the bottom clubs is already on the commission’s agenda.
Newman: The trial by video and sterner tribunal approach have tended to highlight the violence. How would you overcome this?
Richmond: I’d conduct tribunal hearings on Sunday mornings and because of the reportage of the games in Monday morning’s papers it’d be lost in transit.
Newman: Who made the most of their ability in your time?
Richmond: Kevin Sheedy. When he came to us from Prahran he couldn’t mark and he couldn’t kick.
Newman: Why did you recruit him then?
Richmond: He was highly recommended and when we put him into his first practice game we knew why. It was one of the most memorable practice games I’ve ever seen. We turned him loose on our star centreman Billy Barrot one Sunday afternoon at the Punt Rd Oval. Well, we’d never seen a rougher, tougher, spitting, snarling bloke in our lives.
Newman: What was he like on the footy field?
Richmond: I hope that doesn’t get back. Anyhow, we provided a kicking coach for him and with tremendous application he improved so much that he ended up being best man on the ground in two successive premiership teams (1973-74).
Newman: Another man to fit the rough, tough, spitting, snarling Richmond blueprint was Neil Balme.
Richmond: It was instinctive. When he opened up he was a terrifying sight. He took to Carl Ditterich one day on the MCG and poor old Carl was never quite the same afterwards.
Newman: I suppose it would have been a banquet for your eyes when he attacked Geoff Southby in the ’73 grand final.
Richmond: It was unfortunate. The ball was there.
Newman: Where?
Richmond: In flight, when Geoff actually copped a round-arm whack. I still feel a bit guilty because he really is a lovely bloke and a magnificent player. Possibly one of the two or three best full-backs of all time. I know he’s still hurt by the incident psychologically more than physically.
Newman: Tom Hafey was criticised for taking his hard training ethic to Collingwood, especially the week before the grand final replay in ’77.
Richmond: If people realised the enormity of the job he did – taking Collingwood from last to virtually top and to have put a succession of Collingwood sides – goodness gracious me, how they ever beat Geelong in the 1980 preliminary final is one of the wonder of the modern world. Geelong beat Richmond, who eventually won the flag, with five weeks to go by six goals and I remember saying to my father as we left the ground: “Dad, I don’t know that we’d do any better. We had our best side and in-form players, an enormous crowd and still, bright conditions.” We had no doubt we’d have to beat Geelong in the ’80 grand final to win the flag so we were stunned when Collingwood got up against the Cats.
Newman: Don’t blame me, I got dropped.
Richmond: Collingwood would have been 1000-1 to beat us the next week and we subsequently rolled them by 81 points … and blow me down, they bobbed up again the next year against Carlton. It was incredible.
Newman: You’re obviously a great rap for him, so why didn’t he coach Richmond again?
Richmond: I felt he should have at some stage over the last eight years, but he needed an administration. Tom’s very hard on administrations; he hasn’t a high regard for the pomp and ceremony.
Newman: You’re a great judge of footballers, or let’s hope you are because you’re a state selector, so how long does it take you to recognise talent?
Richmond: I’ve heard all these great coaches philosophise over the years but, basically, no team plan will work if you haven’t got the ball. I understand there are carriers who won’t necessarily go into a war and win a Victoria Cross for you, but the engine room still revolves around those who’ll set the whole thing in motion. Therefore, you’ve got to look at whether a bloke can get the ball and, when he’s got it, what he can do with it.
Newman: If you’d just arrived back from Jupiter in late ’86 and saw Warwick Capper play for the Swans in ’87, would you have said he could play?
Richmond: I’m not a great rap for blokes who can’t kick at least 50 yards. Short kickers won’t prevail in finals. Warwick is a hell of a nice bloke but he would always worry me if it was Richmond he was playing for.
Newman: You mentioned earlier that “Octa” Wilson fought for Richmond but so did you, of course, out at Windy Hill on May 18, 1974.
Richmond: It was an unfortunate thing on the day. Circumstances always govern these things. I was on the bench that day as teach manager of Richmond and when the fracas broke out between Mal Brown and Laurie Ashley (Essendon runner), the umpires had virtually left the ground for half-time. My involvement was with an official of the Essendon club (fitness adviser James Bradley) because I took umbrage to his manhandling of Mal Brown.
Newman: You said you thought he was an enraged spectator.
Richmond: I didn’t know who he was. He had a tam-o’shanter on so I didn’t recognise him to be who he was. It’s no good preaching loyalty to players if you don’t react when something like that happens. I suppose it was fair enough I got the big stick, but …
Newman: ..... well, you got more than the big stick. You got fined $2,000, which you refused to pay, and warned off, and barred from speaking to players on grounds until 1975.
Richmond: I was pretty sour on the league at the time and it eventually went to court where I was exonerated. Once that happened it made it pretty hot for the league to handle so they withdrew the whole matter.
Newman: You, in fact are having as big a personal battle to survive as the Richmond Football Club is.
Richmond: I’ve had a battle for several years. I’ve had a series of major operations and am under pretty intensive chemotherapy treatment. I’m holding my ground but I’ve learned a lot from football. Football is the great lesson in life itself. The support I’ve got from football people has been as close as that of my family.
Newman: Do you think you have a better future than the club?
Richmond: We’re both capable of surviving if we fight hard enough. Richmond has a future if the Richmond people want it. Men can do almost anything if they gear themselves up to it.
Newman: What’s wrong with you?
Richmond: I have tumors in both lungs and I’ve had them removed from my bowel and liver. At the moment I’m OK and I’m hoping they’ll go into remission or, at worst, will be manageable. For every day you are kept alive, medical science has a better chance of keeping you in business – permanently.
Newman: You and Richmond both, let’s hope.
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FOES STILL PART OF TIGER FAMILY
By Tony De Bolfo
The Sun
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/sheedy_northey.jpg)
KEVIN SHEEDY and John Northey - renewed their associations for a short while yesterday with the Richmond Football Club to lend support for the Tigers' "Save Our Skins" appeal.
Northey and Sheedy temporarily put aside coaching duties with Melbourne and Essendon to take their sentimental journeys back down Punt Road.
And neither "Swooper" nor "Sheeds" needed much prompting, given their obvious concerns for the well-being of their old and proud club.
As Northey said: "People just have to support Richmond; they've got to.
"This club is steeped in great tradition and is in danger of falling by the wayside.
"And if it happened, in 18 years nearly every Richmond player would have been forgotten."
Sheedy insisted that if history told him anything it was that Richmond stood an excellent chance of survival because the entire football public had previously shown its support for the welfare of the Melbourne-based clubs.
"Nobody in Melbourne realIy wanted Melbourne to go down when it was in financial trouble, and nobody wanted Essendon out of the competition in the 1970's when Essendon was in the bottom four and had no money," Sheedy said.
"I think the situation here with Richmond is the same, clubs just have their cycles and in this situation there is a financial downer in society, and we have got to get together in the football fraternity."
Northey played 117 games for Richmond between 1963 and 1970, including the premierships of 1967 and 1969.
Sheedy represented the Tigers on 254 occasions between 1967 and 1979, including the premierships of 1969, '73 and '74. He also took out his club's best and fairest award in 1976, and captained Richmond two years later.
Instinctively, Northey and Sheedy both made for their old lockers nine and 10 yesterday, as they did all those years ago to prepare for Charlie Callender's rub-downs and Tommy Hafey's pre-match rev-ups.
Big Sunday rally
Richmond will be holding a major fund-raising rally in the members pavilion of the MCG this Sunday at 11am.
Supporters unable to attend the rally can phone through their pledges between 9am and 5pm on 429 5333.
The rally, which will incorporate speeches from Jack Dyer, Neville Crowe, Kevin Sheedy, Francis Bourke, Kevin Bartlett and Dale Weightman is expected to attract 5000 supporters, including the club's vast AFL Squadron junior members.
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SHEEDS' SOS FOR TIGERS
By Tony De Bolfo
The Sun
ESSENDON coach Kevin Sheedy has likened the Richmond Football Club to Victoria's historic Como House.
Sheedy called on supporters to back his old club as it attempted to fight its way out of its financial crisis.
One of the greats of Richmond's golden era of the 1960s and 70s, Sheedy said: "We've just got to make sure that they stay in the AFL".
"To me the Tigers are no different to those homes around Australia they call National Trust homes," Sheedy said.
"They've been around for 100 years and a National Trust home is no different to an AFL club as far as I am concerned.
"There is no difference between the Richmond Football Club and Como."
Richmond has collected $75,000 of the $1 million needed to stay afloat.
Richmond president Neville Crowe said yesterday the Tigers were vitally encouraged by the reception they had received since the "Save Our Skin" appeal was launched at Punt Rd last week.
He said the Tigers were gradually working their way towards a daily target of $13,333, and expressed confidence Sunday morning's rally at the MCG would swell the coffers by at least $200,000.
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TIGER STARS OF OLD PUT IN
By Tony De Bolfo
The Sun
Friday, August 24, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/bourkebarrotclay.jpg)
BOURKE, Barrot, Clay - it was a centre-line which to this day is regarded as one of the greatest in football history.
Throughout the halcyon days of the 60s and 70s, the fortunes of Richmond largely depended upon the valor and skill of Francis Bourke and Dick Clay on the wings and "Bustling Billy" Barrot in the centre.
But times have changed and, try as they may, Bourke, Barrot and Clay alone cannot deliver the financially-troubled Tigers from threatened oblivion.
Nevertheless, the three have volunteered their "skins" for the Richmond appeal - to wit their old yellow and black guernseys - worn for so long and with great pride.
It is their special way of contributing to the appeal, which seeks $1 million between now and the end of October, to see that Richmond remains as Richmond, in Richmond, in 1991 and beyond.
Bourke echoed the sentiments of his old teammates when he said he was confident the figure would be reached.
"I'm very Impressed by the spirit of the people who are moving heaven and earth to save Richmond," he said.
"There is no other way to save this club - it must come back to the people.
"There is something special about the Tigers and the Tiger itself which is just magnificent."
Modesty prevented Bourke from recalling past glories but Clay was qulck to reveal why he, Bourke and Barrot made such a lasting impression and earned such healthy respect.
"I guess the beauty of it was that we were all six foot plus … Francis and I could contest the kick-outs, then drive it 60 or 70 yards to where Royce Hart and Paddy Guinane were lurking," Clay said.
"But, more importantly, we had a special rapport and we all had confidence in each other.
"I guess if the club goes down the gurgler then aII these happy memories will be gone."
Barrot jumped at the opportunity to support his old club, although be did confess that parting with the old 24 did tug at the heart-strings.
"I was a very tough decision," Barrot said.
"I didn't really want to part with the jumper and it hurt a bit."
But Barrot, like everyone else, is well aware of the urgency of the situation, and he calIed on all people with memories of the grand old days of TigerIand to treat the Richmond crisis as he, Bourke and Clay did.
"We were never beaten in our time although we lost a few games, and that attitude's remained with Richmond players ever since," he said.
"It is an attitude which people probably could apply to the current situation: 'If you don't put in, you're gone …'"
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(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/players.jpg)
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Round 21 on Saturday, August 25, was Richmond's last game in Melbourne for the 1990 season. It was also potentially the Club's last ever.
Sadly for the Tiges, the match was its seventh straight loss.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/melbourne_score.jpg)(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/melbourne_stats.jpg)
The Sunday Sun
August, 26, 1990.
The Richmond coach was fairly pleased with the efforts of his battling young Tigers saying that they were in with a chance of winning for most of the day.
"It was a hard slog and I think it could have been a bit closer," he said. "But we were in it all day."
Bartlett also praised veteran David Cloke, Matthew Knights and youngster Matthew Francis for their battling efforts all day.
On the down side for Richmond were the injuries to Brendan Gale (wrist); David Honybun (ankle) and Stuart Maxfield (groin).
Bartlett also said tomorrow's rally for an endangered species was one of the most important days in Richmond history.
"It is certainly an important day for the Richmond Football Club. The weather forecast is not fantastic but we need a bumper crowd and bumper donations to ensure Richmond's future," he said.
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THE MCG RALLY
DYER BLAST FOR THE AFL
By Cheryl Critchley
The Sun
Monday, August 27, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/dyer_rally.jpg)
RICHMOND legend Jack Dyer yesterday blasted the AFL Commission as he made an emotional plea to save his embattled club.
Richmond must raise $1 million by October 31 or face liquidation, and Dyer accused the league of ignoring its plight.
At yesterday's MCG rally, which saw more than 10,000 fans give the club's most famous player a standing ovation. he said the commission gave no thought to "the ordinary people".
"It's an awful thing that search for power, especially when it's made by tuppence ha'penny sort of people," he said.
"They dare to try and throw us out of the league - they must be moonstruck or something up the top there.
"They seem to think up there in the ivory tower that there'll be no one last or second last or third last.
"Perhaps when they wake up to that they'll get a bit of bloody sense."
Dyer said he couldn't mention any names "because they'll sue me".
Taking a swipe at the interstate competition, Dyer said the rally crowd was double what the AFL could expect at a Sydney match and urged fans to dig deep.
"By gee it's one of the greatest sights I've seen in my football life," he said.
"Just give up the bingo for a while, just give up these race horses for 10 weeks and we'll get out of it."
The SOS rally saw dozens of former tiger greats including Roger Dean, Bill Barrot, Barry Richardson, Dick Clay, Kevin Sheedy, Francis Bourke, Bryan Wood and Barry Rowlings pledge their support.
The former players' association donated $20,000.
President Neville Crowe told the cheering crowd that $130,000 had already been raised but there was still a long way to go.
He said if the $1 million target was reached Richmond could wipe out its deficit and trade profitably with a $285,000 surplus next year.
"I want you to understand the seriousness of the position," he said.
"We've got to give until it hurts then we've got to give a little more - we've got to defend our right to stay in this competition."
Crowe thanked other clubs for their support, notably traditional enemy Collingwood.
"Collingwood's a side that you hate on one side but when they say `we want you in the competition' it makes you feel good," he said.
Club finance director Mike Humphris said unless its "hard-core" liabilites of $1 milliom were paid this year Richmond would face merging, relocating or total liquidation.
An emotional coach and 403-game player Kevin Bartlett said he would be shattered if the club, which had been his life, folded.
"It would be a very sad day not only for myself but for all these great people," he said.
"It would be very disappointing for the people whose lives have revolved around the Richmond Football Club."
Captain Dale Weightman said he was proud to wear the black and gold, and hoped his young charges would continue to do so.
"They want to have the chance to become a Francis Bourke, Kevin Bartlett or Kevin Sheedy," he said.
"All they want is (for the supporters) to give them a chance to play next year."
* THE Tigers raised $189,000 at the weekend to life the Save our Skins appeal total to $314,500.
The club also has been pledged $9500 and the sale of season tickets for 1991 and beyond has raised $20,000. These two figures have not been included in the overall amount.
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TIGERS PLAY FOR NOTHING
By Mick Atkins
The Sun
Saturday, September 1, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/pickers_flea.jpg)
RICHMOND players and staff will play and work for nothing, in what could be the club's last match, in Sydney tomorrow.
The $50,000 the players, administrative and training staff would have cost the club for the Swans match, will be directed to the Tigers Save Our Skins fund.
"We wanted to do something for the club and this is what the players chose," skipper Dale Weightman said yesterday.
"We know the club is in a tight situation and it was decided unanimously at a players' meeting earlier in the week that this is the way we'd go," he said.
"We want to do anything we can to have the club around in 1991.
"I've been at this club for 14 years and it has become a big part of my life," he said.
"It's imperative for all the workers around the club and the diehard Richmond people that the club survives."
Vice-captain Michael Pickering has an added incentive for the Tigers to continue next season.
His brother Andrew is playing in the reserves and it will give him a chance to join Michael and other brother Justin in the seniors.
* WHEELER'S Hill Secondary College year 7 student Leela DeKretser proudly rang the club yesterday to say her school had raised $400 for the Save Our Skins fund at an out of uniform day.
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The Tigers in their final match for 1990 finish off the season with a 5 goal win over the Swans in Sydney in front of a crowd of just 6,996. The game most memorable for Michael Mitchell's goal of the year.
RICHMOND 8.4 13.10 18.16 20.19-139
SYDNEY 2.7 4.9 9.15 15.19-109
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/sydney_stats.jpg)
TIGERS HIT THEIR STRIPES
By NEIL WILSON in Sydney
The Sun
Monday, September 3, 1990.
Team shows it deserves a go
RICHMOND underlined its worth to the AFL competition with a impressive overpowering of Sydney at the SCG yesterday.
The Tigers finished easing up to win by five goals - but that margin flattered the home side.
During the first three quarters Richmond put on a football display as skilful, direct and powerful as any other side which has visited the SCG this season.
The Swans trailed by 55 points at half and three-quarter time and it was only a little more commitment in the final term which saved them from an SCG thrashing similar to that handed out by Essendon and Carlton,
"It is just a very, very disappointing way to finish a very disappointing season," said frustrated coach Col Kinnear. He confirmed he would be in charge of the Swans again next year.
His club rounded off their worst season since going north with players failing to match their opponents' desperation for the ball as well as their skills and timing on the occasions when they got it.
Richmond, on the other hand, showed all the right reasons why it deserves to survive into season 1991.
The young Tigers magnificently led by David Cloke in his 311th and final game, played the short SCG straight down the corridor in an object lesson to the home side on direct football.
It was the first half in which they dominated most, but two second-half incidents best summed up their style.
Back pocket Tony Free, at 178cm and 76kg one of the Tiger's smaller players, ran the ball 50m out of defence and in doing so bounded straight through the 191cm and 92kg Wayne Henwood.
The fair hip and shoulder left the "Moose" flat on his back and took out one of the Swans' few effective players - as Free careered up field.
Then in the final quarter rover Michael Mitchell ran the ball 100m, taking seven bounces as he surged straight down the corridor and around two Swans before goaling.
Both incidents said a lot about the respective determination of the sides, with the Tiger rampage beginning from Cloke's dominance of the centre bounces.
As has happened so many times before, the Swans were ineffective in the key forward position, with backman convert Mark Bayes unable to provide drive.
It was only the continued fine play of full-forward Wayne Henwood who provided them with a target, returning to the field after the Free incident to courageously score the last of his three goals.
The Richmond thrust, which netted them seven of their eight first-term goals in 14 minutes, continued into the second with inspired play from flanker Ryan.
His two goals for the term should have been four but for poor kicking.
Lambert continued to dominate for the Tigers whenever the ball hit the ground in packs or when a link man was needed.
The Swans regrouped after half time largely due to the hard work of Barry Mitchell and Greg Williams, who lifted their games to provide some drive to the busy Higgins and Henwood up forward.
The improvement continued into the final term, but by that stage the Tigers were easing up as Cloke drifted around the backline marking, handballing and running out his final minutes of his playing life to ensure his side's safety.
Later the big man admitted that if the side was to do better without him in 1991 it would need more consistency.
Kinnear said his team had been let down by the same half dozen players - whom he would not name - they had let them down too many times in season 1990.
"As a match committee and as a coach we will have to sit down over the next six months and think about this last game, think about the players," he said.
"We will be sitting down and going through the player's futures individually."
"There may be a few retirements in Sydney over summer."
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TIGERS PLAY 'ACE'
The Sun
Thursday, September 6, 1990.
IT was a long way from Flushine Meadow - but a match on the tennis court behlnd the Camberwell home of Richmond legend Francis Bourke may be an 'ace' for the Tigers.
Four former Richmond greats - Francis Bourke, Dick Clay, Wayne WaIsh and Erie Leech - staged their own version of the US Open last night, in training for the Legends of Footy match to be played at the Punt Road Oval on September 23.
"We're getting back into shape for the big match," Bourke said.
The Tigers will take on arch-rival Carlton and while the game is unlikely to provide the spectacle of the great clashes of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Richmond hopes it will raise much-needed dollars for the embattled club.
Bourke, Clay, Walsh and Leech have etched their names into Richmond history and are keen to fight for the young Tiger players and supporters who have already given so much to the club.
"It's vital - the club survives, not only for our great history but for the young blokes playing and the kids that support us," Bourke said.
"We've got to give these young guys the opportunities that we had while we were there. "
Bourke said he was heartened by the response from the public and supporters of all clubs, and was pleased with the growing momentum of the appeal.
Tiger president Neville Crowe last night said the Save our Skins fund total was rapidly approaching the halfway mark.
"We've got $405,000 in donations … and $62,000 in membership pledges, for both one and five-year memberships," he said.
He said he was excited about the Legends match (of whom he will be a part) and promised a day of fun.
Leech said Ted Whitten and Ian Robertson would umpire the match, while former 'superboots' Bernie Quinlan and Peter McKenna would return to the famous Punt Road goal squares - as goal umpires.
As far as the old Tigers are concerned, their successors will be roaring louder than ever in 1991.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/therm_125.jpg)(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/therm_405.jpg)
Aug 17: $ 10,422
Aug 21: $ 58,901
Aug 23: $ 99,865
Aug 24: $124,932
Aug 27: $314,500 - after MCG rally
Aug 31: $355,000
Sept 4: $400,000
Sept 6: $405,000
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Then in the final quarter rover Michael Mitchell ran the ball 100m, taking seven bounces as he surged straight down the corridor and around two Swans before goaling.
Still arguably the best goal from a Tiger I have ever seen. Classic Michael Mitchell.
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Were the Tigers ever well off financially?
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Were the Tigers ever well off financially?
Doubt it given Richmond was traditionally a working class suburb. Before the modern professional era there wasn't the financial pressures on Vic clubs as there are now.
Even in 1980 when we had 1 million people come through the gate to watch us we only made $20k from a revenue of $1 million. The 2 years before that we made losses.
Our biggest ever annual profit of $918k was funnily enough in 1990. Obviously most of that came from SOS. The next best was $789k in 1997 but $560k came from the JDF. By 2002 we were roughly $2.3 million in the black (total assets - total liabilites) but the combined losses of $800k in 2003 and $2.2m in 2004 put up back in the red for the first time since 1994.
However the RFC was financially in its worst state in 1987 when we were $1.7m in debt yet our annual revenue was only $2.3m. Without SOS we were screwed.
Now days the Club's revenue is over $22m so a debt of roughy 600-700k in 2004 while not satisfactory isn't something to go into a flat panic about. With proper and realistic management and a bit of commonsense it can be turned around pretty quickly.
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im sure every richmond supporter or most around australia would be happy to contribute via direct debit say $5 a week from there wage. whilst this may seem silly if 10,000 richmond supporters did this..the club would make $50,000 a week or $2.6 million a year to pay of our current debts. i think a $5 a week income tax would make us the wealthiest club in the country sooner rather than later. I urge the administration to consider this option and include it as an extra option on the membership forms.
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SMILING TIGERS
By Justin Brasier
The Sun
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/500k.jpg)
THE SNIFF of life was sweet at Punt Rd Oval last night.
And Tiger greats Kevin Bartlett, Michael Roach and Emmett Dunne had every reason to be happy.
The Tigers are officially half way towards saving their beloved club.
Richmond general manager Cameron Schwab couldn't hide his satisfied grin when he announced the Tigers had raised $507,000 so far in its fightback appeal.
"I think we should be able to make it," Schwab said. And with the club $129,000 ahead of schedule, Schwab's confidence appears justified as the Tigers head towards their $1 million target.
Schwab,however, conceded the club still had a huge battle ahead.
"The last half a million is going to be a lot harder than the first half," Schwab said.
"The first half has basically come through donations from people who feel highly about the club. In the next half, we've obviously got to be providing value for money."
The club's next big fund-raising function is the legends' match, likely to be at Windy Hill, which has been moved to September 30 due to the qualifying final replay.
With the October grand final, Richmond has also moved its 1980 Premiership Reunion to October 5.
The Tigers are organising a car raffle and on October 21 they are holding a gala concert at the Metro Nightclub.
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TIGERS’ NEED BRINGS TRUCE TO SPRING ST
By Mick Atkins
The Sun
Thursday, September 13, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/kirner.jpg)
JOAN KIRNER well remembers the Saturday after the merger between Footscray and Fitzroy was announced.
"It took me two hours to do my shopping (in Williamstown)," the Premier said yesterday.
"Even the shopkeepers were crying and everyone was coming up and saying: 'Joan, you've got to do something about this'.
"I realised how important a football club is to its community - it's part of everyone's life."
Her recollections of Footscray's fight to survive prompted her to pledge her support for Richmond recently and, like Opposition Leader Alan Brown, has donated to the Tigers cause.
Richmond president Neville Crowe was on hand yesterday to accept Premier Kirner's $150 and Mr Brown's $200 donations.
It was good to see Victoria's best-known political enemies agreeing on something.
Mr Brown, from Wonthaggi, has supported the Tigers all his life and claims that his great, grandparents were also Tiger fans.
"The club is down at the moment and needs the support. It's imperative that they survive," he said.
Mrs Kirner said she would help the club in any way she could - any way short of singing at the "Save the Tigers Spectacular" at the Royal Oak Hotel, Richmond on Saturday night.
"The whole bloody audience would' leave," she said.
"But I could recommend Alan (Brown). He put on a great show at a Parliamentary concert a while ago ... I can't tell you what it was about."
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A SOS car sticker - courtesy of Moi :cheers
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/help.jpg)
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TIGERS FIRE UP
The Sun
Thursday, September 20, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/legends1.jpg)
IT was a sight to gladden the heart of any football supporter.
Legends from the Richmond sides of the 1960s and 70s were back at Punt Rd oval last night preparing for a game that is turning into a who's who of football greats - the 'Legends match.'
It is hoped the match at Windy Hill on Sunday, September 30, will attract 20,000 fans from all clubs.
Tiger general manager Cameron Schwab said: "We're hoping to raise $100,000 from it - tickets are already available at the club."
When the call went out to former players of Richmond and Carlton for the big game, the response was overwhelming.
The names include some of the greats. For Richmond: Bartlett, Bourke, Dean, Hart, Sheedy, Barrot and Clay. For Carlton: Jesaulenko, Nicholls, Jones, Southby, Gallagher, Doull, Keogh and Fitzpatrick.
Many played in the golden era when Richmond won four premierships in eight years and met Carlton in three grand finals.
The clash will featuresome traditional confrontations of yesteryear such as Crowe-Nicholls, Balme-Southby and coaches Barassi-Hafey.
Former Tiger ruckman/forward John Ronaldson was moved by the atmosphere at last night's first (and probably only) training session: " I can feel the old Tiger spirit tonight - when the going get tough the tough gets going," he said.
He supports a national competition but the last thing he wants to see is the disappearance of his beloved Tigers.
Ronaldson admits he's slightly past his peak and has lost a little fitness since his playing days.
"I'd be happy to sit on the bench," he said. "One kick will do me, then I'll need a rest."
Richmond Legends' coach Tommy Hafey was quietly confident about his charges chances against the Carlton Legends.
"We're gonna kill 'em," he said. "And you can quote me on that."
"We'll have about 30 on the bench. It will stretch right around the wing."
But Hafey was mystified why the likes of Sheedy, Northey and Malthouse weren't at training.
"I've got no idea where they are," he said.
*** As the Tigers SOS campaign reached $550,000 yesterday, another major fundraiser was kicked off.
A raffle is expected to raise about $180,000, with the first prize a new model Laser, donated by long-time Richmond supporter and former committee man, Bib Stillwell.
Tickets for the raffle are $2 and will be on sale at Swan Street Auctions, Richmond Football Club and all the Tigers' fundraising functions.
On Show-Day eve the club is holding a gala night with players and personalities at the Chevron Hotel. Tickets are $10. The event begins at 8pm and continues until 7am Thursday.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/kb_ronaldson.jpg)
KB and Ronaldson
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Moi's pic of the old boys a week before the Legends' match.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/legends2.jpg)
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'DISCO' WILL ROCK TO SAVE TIGERS
By Mick Atkins
The Sun
Tuesday, September 25, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/cloke_roach.jpg)
BACK in Michael Roach's first season with Richmond he was dubbed "Disco" after a stirring solo rendition of the then popular hit Disco Duck.
He was only 18 and his teammates had him well and truly charged when he hit the stage at the Seaview Hotel in Fitzroy St, St Kilda.
"I wasn't asked to, I just got up there and felt good," Roach, now 31, recalled yesterday.
Despite his giving the game away last season, Richmond supporters are hopeful of coaxing Roach out of retirement tommorrow night and getting him up on stage at their big fundraising night at the Chevron Hotel.
But Tiger stalwart David Cloke, who was at the Seaview that memorable night, isn't so keen.
"Mate, his voice is bad enough when he's just talking," Cloke said yesterday.
Roach warned that everyone playing in the Legends match against Carlton this Sunday had vowed to stay off the grog tomorrow night.
"It's too big a game for that," Roach said.
If the Tigers can pack the Chevron, the Save Our Skin fund will be boosted by at least $15,000.
Chevron owner and avid Geelong supporter, Antione Moussi, has offered the Tigers the night's door takings.
All Richmond players will attend and supporters can stay until 7am.
Tickets at $10 a head are available at the club or on the door from 8pm.
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EXTRAS OUT - NOW FOR THE BATTLE
By Mick Atkins
The Sun
Thursday, September 27, 1990.
RICHMOND last night made 35 changes for Sunday's big clash with Carlton at Windy Hill.
The Tigers retained only one player, ruckman David Cloke, from their last match and he'll be lining up on a half-forward flank.
At Carlton, the entire team has been replaced by 36 of yesterdays heroes.
And in a shock move, discarded coach Alex Jesaulenko has had a change of heart and decided he will stay with the Blues - as their full forward.
Enough of the funny business, Sunday's Legend's match between Richmond and Carlton promises to be a rugged affair with tough guys Vin Waite, Ricky McLean. Neil Balme, Robbie "Bones" McGhie and Barry Gill all ready to square the ledger from 20 years ago.
The entire Carlton backline has met and fully intends to avenge Neil Balme's rampaging efforts in the 1973 grand final.
And the Blues will be watching Laurie Fowler when he emerges from the dugout. They don't want to run into a shirtfront similar to the one he dealt John Nicholls in same match.
The Blues are hoping Essendon wins the preliminary final this Saturday, or it will leave Kevin Sheedy in a mean mood for the legends mate.
"I've already spoken to Sheeds about the match," Richmond skipper Royce Hart said from Tasmania yesterday. "I told him he can't go back to playing pretty football just because he's coached a couple of premiership sides.
"He's got to bite, scratch and spit like he used to," Hart said laughing.
"My preparation will be two hours of drinking lights at Whale Roberts' pub on Saturday night."
Richmond president Neville Crowe's training regime is more likely to meet with coach Tom Hafey's approval.
"I'm doing three laps a night ... around John Ronaldson," Crowe said.
The whisper is that if things get really tight in the last quarter, Hafey plans to sit Ronaldson, Balme and Whale Roberts on the Carlton goal line.
With 60 stone (380 kg) between them, the trio will jam between the goal posts and, as men of this age can't kick the ball higher than six feet, Carlton will be unable to kick a winning score.
A charge of $25 gets patrons admission to the ground, raffles, food, beverages and comedians, starting at around noon.
* A supporters bus will leave tbe Punt Rd Oval at noon and go straight to Windy Hill for the big match which starts at 2pm.
RICHMOND
B: Leech, Dunne, Dean
HB: Keane, McGhie, Wood
C: Bourke, Barrot, Clay
HF: Northey, Hart, Cloke
F: Balme, McLean, Rowlings
Foll: Crowe, Sheedy, Bartlett
Int: Ronaldson, Roberts, W.Walsh, Roach, Fowler, McMillan, Jess, Perry, Bond, Clayton, Stonehouse, Burgin, Cameron, Landy, Laughlin, Jewell, Morris, Owen
CARLTON
B: Waite, Southby, Gill
HB: Pinnell, Doull, Austin
C: Dickson, Chandler, Robertson
HF: Jackson, Maclure, Quirk
F: Fitzpatrick, Jesaulenko, Keogh
Foll: P.Jones, Barrassi, GalIagher
Int: Whitnall, Lukas, Bortolotto, Zoanetti, Mulcair, Warden, Marcou, Catoggio, Harmes, Auchetti, Fyffe, McConville, Francis, O'Brien, Munari, W.Jones, Davis, Bosustow
SOS total - Sept 27: $565,000
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GOLDEN OLDIES - THE LEGENDS MATCH
By Tony De Bolfo
The Sun
Monday, October 1, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/dean.jpg)
Roger Dean
THE heroes of those great Richmond and Carlton sides of the '60s and '70s went back into battle at Windy Hill yesterday to save the Tigers' skin.
On hand to see the likes of Barassi, Doull and Jackson mix it with Hart, Barrot and Bourke was an enthusiastic crowd nearing 20,000 who added about $100,000 to the fight to keep the Richmond club alive.
Richmond's Rex Hunt who had stripped for the game, relished his roIe as the stand-in commentator.
"Why don't you have a go Bourke? Get fair dinkum," was one call to Tiger great Francis Bourke.
"The ball's there son, don't go to the hamburger stand," was his comment to portly Richmond ruckman John Ronaldson.
Royce Hart, perhaps the greatest of centre half-forwards, said the game proved people would go to watch Richmond play.
Hart, back from Tasmania for his game in 13 years,showed his old magic, but found the going tough on his 1972 grand final nemesis, Bruce Doull.
"The only thing Doully's lost is a bit more hair," Hart said.
Carlton Captain-coach Ron Barassi, who marshalled his troops from the bench for the first half, thought he had completed the masterstroke when he went straight on to the ball to start the third quarter.
But before the end of the quarter, "Barass" dragged himself, to the ironic cheers of the crowd and the delight of commentator Hunt.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/kb_rex.jpg)
KB having a laugh with Rex
Former Carlton rover Adrian Gallagher and his old mate Peter "Percy" Jones graced the interchange bunker for the entire match.
Asked if that was reflected by Carlton's losing score, Gallagher responded: "I would think so."
Richmond coach Tom Hafey said later that current coach Kevin Bartlett should get his old number 29 out of napthalene and make a comeback.
"But I was very disappointed with his new style of play. This handpassing and short kicking is just not on," Hafey joked.
For the record, Richmond won 9.9-63 to 7.10-52, with the Blues goalless after half-time.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/barrot.jpg)
'bustling' Billy Barrot
SOS total - Oct 2: $675,000
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Three events to set your sights on
Write these in your diary and help us write off our million-dollar debt!
(*) Reunion Dinner 5th October: Relive the glory of our 1980 Premiership victory with the players who participated. There'll be dancing, entertainment, food, drink and more! 7pm till midnight. $50 per head.
(*) Aftermatch' Grand Final Day: Relax with the Tigers after the big game. Watch the replay, sink a drink then sink your teeth into our barbecue. Party till 8pm. Donation $2.
(*) Family Day 7th October: There's something for everyone - rides, food, drink, concert, disco, footy clinic, best & fairest count. Starts 11am. Entry free!
Events take place at the Richmond Club Oval, Punt Road, Richmond. For bookings, donations and further information phone 429 5333 and please help Save our Skin.
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While the SOS campaign entered its final month with Richmond still $325,000 short of their $1 million target, the Tigers recruiting efforts for following season carried on.
SA IS THE DRAFT TARGET
By Justin Brasier
Herald-Sun
Wednesday, October 10, 1990.
RICHMOND hopes to find replacements for sacked trio Stephen James, Peter Czerkaski and Gary Frangalas in a flying visit to Adelaide this week.
Tiger officials leave today confident of securing at least three of four South Australian draft picks in their raid.
Richmond recruiting officer Doug Vickers said yesterday the club hoped talented youngsters Richard Gerke and Brett Chalmers would follow Sturt defender Bruce Lennon across next season.
Woodville's Gerke, 18, and Chalmers, 17 from Port Adelaide, were selected by Richmond in last year's national draft.
Lennon, 20, has already indicated he would play for the Tigers next season if the club was still in existence.
Richmond also will speak to No.1 internal draft pick Andrew Payze, but the West Torrens star appears certain to remain.
Payze, 23, is considered a top chance to play in the South Australian composite team next season.
Several young South Australian players are finalising contracts with AFL clubs as the SANFL tries to assemble the composite team.
Clubs have until Monday to meet the AFL's deadline to complete paper work and have their South Australian draft players signed and registered.
Richmond's axing of James, Czerkaski and Frangalas was not a big surprise as they had managed only 14 games between them last season.
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Here's some pics from the S.O.S. Rally at the 'G courtesy of Moi :cheers
For a bit of fun have a guess at who the Tigers in the foreground of the photos are?
1. ...
2. ...
3. ...
4. ... and ... and ...
5. ... and ...
6. ... and ...
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/rally1.jpg)
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/rally2.jpg)
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(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/rally3.jpg)
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/rally4.jpg)
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(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/rally5.jpg)
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/rally6.jpg)
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:gobdrop :gobdrop
Struth for a moment there I thought I saw myself in one of the background pics :rollin
2. Craig Lambert
3. Can't remember his name - Bartlett I think
4. Is that Allan McKellar :o
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Middle of pic 4 - Stuart Maxfield
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2. Craig Lambert :thumbsup
3. Can't remember his name - Bartlett I think :thumbsup
4. Is that Allan McKellar :thumbsup
ok a couple of clues:
1. Champion backman of the 1930s
4. Moi thinks one may be the older brother of a current Tiger.
5. I think we know who's on the left in the fifth photo :bow
6. The one of the left had the same surname as another Tiger on our list at that time.
Apart from that ask Moi who they are :lol.
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TIGER PHIL LOSES HIS STRIPES
By Tony De Bolfo
Herald-Sun
Thursday, October 11, 1990
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/egan.jpg)
PHIL EGAN was looking forward to 1991.
Free of injury and full of vim and vitality, here was the chance to make his 10th senior season of football with Richmond, his life membership season with the club. . . one worth remembering.
But, today, Phil Egan is on football's scrap heap.
It all bappened at Punt Road on Monday, when Egan was called to a meeting with Richmond coach Kevin Bartlett and general manager Cameron Schwab.
"In short 'KB' said I wasn't part of the '91 plan," Egan said yesterday.
He (Bartlett) said: 'You might be better in new surroundings and we'll help you find new surroundings'. I then had an appointment with Cameron Schwab, so I knew something was going on ... we talked about pay cuts, which I was prepared to look at in a fair way. but there's no use discussing that if you're not wanted by the match committee or the coach."
Egan had always wanted to play out his days at Punt Road and, having played one year with the under 19s and reserves and the next nine with the seniors, he was very much part of the furniture down there or so he thought.
"It would always have heen hard to saddle up with someone else. but that reality has come now," Egan said.
"And I suppose it won't hit me until I, hopefully, run out with another League club."
Egan is a modest man, but he firmly believes that, at 27, with US senior matches to his name, he still has a future at AFL level.
He concedes his football over tbe past couple of seasons has not gone the way he would have liked.
Injuries
He has had a horror run of injuries. which include:
* In 1986, he broke his ankle.
* In 1988. he was unavailable for most of the year after breaking his sboulder.
* In 1989, he missed five matches with a hamstring complaint and, after his return, fractured his skull.
This year he has had persistent cartilage problems.
"So, in terms of 'KB' saying lack of continuity in games and, therefore, poor form through my unavailability, maybe he feels I will struggle," Egan said.
"But I believe I'm still good enough to pIay league footy, given an injury-free run and reckon it's someone else's bloody turn to cop injury.
"If things pan out, and I might be okay, then I'll be rapt. If it doesn't, I'll still play footy somewhere and still bloody enjoy it."
Egan is still under contract until the end of 1991 subject to being retained on Richmond's senior list, which is now an impossibility.
"I'm disappointed in Kevin and the match committee not to have kept me in their plans for a year I was gearing up for," Egan said.
Schwab said the club wished Egan good luck for the future.
(*) TIGER Stephen James also hopes to be picked up in next month's national draft.
James, 25, parted on amicable terms with Richmond two weeks ago after an injury-plagued run at Punt Rd over the past two years.
He missed nearly all of 1989 with a knee injury and dislocated his shoulder in this year's pre-season competition. He managed to play 12 of the last 15 games.
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BARTLETT 'DISAPPOINTED" AT DRAFT BLOW
By Tony De Bolfo
Herald-Sun
Thursday, October 18, 1990.
RICHMOND coach Kevin Bartlett was disappointed yesterday at his club's loss of 1990 mid-season draft choice, West Torrens' Andrew Payze, to the South Australian composite side.
The Tigers are to be compensated $15,000 for losing Payze, but that did not rest easy with Bartlett.
"We had Andrew Payze drafted for three years. He knew about us and he wanted to play AFL football," Bartlett said.
"But drafting the player is one thing - getting him to land is another."
Bartlett stressed that over the past couple of years his club had put a lot of time and effort into recruiting, particularly younger players.
Then to get the opportunity to recruit a quality player like Andrew Payze - a runner-up in the Magarey Meda, 150 games of SANFL football, 23 years of age and a club best and fairest winner - he would make an enormous difference to our side and he's taken from underneath you," Bartlett said.
Though Richmond also stands to gain $200,000 as a result of the sale of an AFL licence to the South Australian composite team. Richmond financial advisor Michael Humphris did not warm to that given the loss of a player of Payze's calibre.
"And the board voted against this South Australian admission ... it doesn't do this club any good to forego players as opposed t $200,000," Humphris said.
Bartlett also defended his club's decision to discard senior players Phil Egan, Peter Czerkaski, Stephen James and Darren Keighran.
"AIl clubs must assess their personnel. It's an ongoing thing and Richmond is no different," Bartlett said,
"Of course everyone feels for the players. But with league rules being league rules so many of them can be affected, particularly before the draft, of November and March."
Bartlett confirmed that the club's national draft choice of 1988, Sturt's Bruce Lennon, would be at Punt Road for the 1991 pre-season training.
A knee injury put paid to Lennon's season in Adelaide this year.
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RICHMOND LIST CHANGES
OFF
Michael Clark: at Punt Rood for some time but struggled;
David Cloke: Retired;
Peter Czerkaski: struggled. Hoping to be picked up in March draft;
Phil Egan: struggled with injury, but swapped to Melbourne in exchange for its third draft choice;
Gary Frangalas: another to struggle with injury. May be finished with AFL football;
Chris Martin: originally drafted by Hawthorn, but struggled in the reserves;
Stuart Maxfield: under 19 and not required to be listed;
Justin Paul: not quite up to it, but is still young and extremely keen;
Andrew Payze: named by the Adelaide team.
ON
Steven Cochrane: 19 and named on senior list. Has played a couple of reserve matches;
Terry Keays: acquired from Collingwood in exchange for first round draft choice;
John Bowen, Ty Ester, Dallas Kalms, Robert Elliott, Chris Wescombe: all 19 with reserve grade experience;
Andrew Pickering: younger brother of Michael and Justin. Has also tumed 19.
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PART FOUR - THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/twoweeks.jpg)
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TIGERS' RACE AGAINST TIME
By Tym Glaser
Herald-Sun
Tuseday, October 16, 1990.
TIME is running out for the Richmond Football Club.
The future of the famous club is in serious doubt as Save The Tigers fund is still $250,000 short of its $1 million target with two weeks remaining before its deadline.
The Tigers must have their debts covered by October 31 or face the possibility of extinction. Richmond general manager Cameron Schwab today said the huge fund-raising exercise had reached a critical stage.
"We always knew the last part of the money would be the hardest to raise." Schwab said. "There is still a lot of work to do and we desperately need to reach the $1 million mark."
Schwab said the club would hold a press conference tomorrow afternoon to highlight its dire position and push the cause before the football public again.
"There are still a lot of cans to be shaken and raffle tickets sold," he said. "We need all the support and donations we can get."
The Tigers have raised more than $750,000 since the appeal started in August.
"It has been a tremendous effort to raise so much money but if we don't make the million it will be in vain." Schwab said.
The Tigers last major function before the deadline will be beId at the Metro nightclub this Sunday evening.
A variety eoncert featuring the likes of Colleen Hewitt, Peter CuppIes, Doug Parkinson and Russell Morris will start at 8.30pm. Tickets to the concert cost $15 and can be bought through the club or at the door.
"The concert has the potential to raise about $40,000," Schwab said.
"However, we will still be along way from the target even if we get that.
Many Richmond fans have worked tirelessly to lift the club out of its financial quagmire through raffles and roadside collections.
The club has organised several money-raising events including a legends games between former Richmond and Carlton greats. More than 20,100 people watched the ageing stars in action at Windy Hill.
SOS Tally - October 16: $750,000
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TIGERS LOOK SAFE, THANKS TO ADELAIDE
By Tony De Bolfo
Herald-Sun
Thursday, October 18, 1990.
While Richmond is still $240,000 short of it survival target, the emergence of Adelaide Football Club may has saved the Tigers.
At a press conference at Punt Road yesterday, Richmond president Neville Crowe said the 'Save Our Skins" campaign had amassed $760,000 with two weeks to go before the October 31 deadline.
And while Tiger officials admit that a $1 million in two weeks is an ambitious target, the club is guaranteed $200,000 from the VFL's sale of a licence fee to the Adelaide composite club.
Further, they already have in the coffers $109,000 from a membership drive which gathered momentum since the start of the campaign eight weeks ago.
But Crowe argued the membership revenue could not be included in the fund-raising figures, because it formed part of future budgets, with many of the memberships covering five or 10 years.
He also pointed out the club was $1.25 million in the red and still owed vice president Gary Krauss $300,000.
Crowe said the financial fight was far from over.
"On August 15, the Richmond Football Club clearly stated our precarious position - we must raise $1 million by October 31 or die," Crowe said.
"Nothing's changed. Except the numbers."
Crowe called on supporters who had not given to "give till it hurts and them give some more."
And he likened Richmond's plight to that of Footscray's last year, but expressed disappointment virtually no money had come from the corporate sector.
"All of the money has basically come from grass roots people, there's virtually nil corporate support," Crowe said.
The only exception was a donation of $10,000 by Craig Kimberley of Just Jeans, who is ironically a part owner of Sydney.
Richmond's final fundraising event is a concert at the Metro Nightclub on Sunday night including some of Australia's top singers and comedians.
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THESE ARE OUR KIND OF PIES
By Tony De Bolfo
Herald-Sun
Saturday, October 20, 1990.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/pickers_flea2.jpg)
The Tigers might not be keen on Magpies but they certainly don't mind the odd hot pie.
In fact, Dale Weightman and Michael Pickering were more then happy to tuck into a couple of football's staple diet yesterday.
Pattie's Pies has donated 30c from every pie sold to Richmond's Save Our Skins appeal and more than $12,000 has been raised.
But it doesn't stop there. Captain Weightman, vice-captain Pickering, young forward Stephen Ryan and many other Tigers will be on hand today hawking the Richmond Football Club's merchandise as part of a fund-raising drive with the Richmond Hill Traders group.
The players will band together with the group, which will adorn the facades of their shops (in Bridge Rd bounded by Punt Rd and Leenox St) with permanent banners highlighting the new image of Richmond.
The players will be in Bridge Road all day, signing autographs and distributing balloons.
What of the players, who throughout the Save Our Skins' appeal have donated their services. How have they felt throughout it all?
"We're a lot more confident now than we were when we first heard the news," Ryan said yesterday.
"Now it seems realistic we'll reach the target, and I think we can get there if the supporters keep pledging like they have been."
Ryan concedes that at the time the crisis hit he had asked himself what it would be like playing for another club.
But he has put his worries behind him to concentrate on the fight for the well-being of his club.
"You don't play football for money when you're a little kid," Ryan said.
"When I run out onto the ground on Saturday I don't think of money and I'm sure the other players don't think of money.
"I think it's the love of the jumper that keeps you going for 10 years."
The club still needs to raise about $230,000 to reach $1 million before the end of October and hold off the bankers.
A special Metro Rage concert will be held tomorrow night featuring Colleen Hewitt, Doug Parkinson and Russell Morris. Entry to the Metro Night Club is a $15 donation and the concert starts at 8.30pm.
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(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/tigers_saved.jpg)
Tigers back in business.
Crowe joy as cash nears target.
By Jamie Tate
Herald-Sun
Wednesday, October 31, 1990.
RICHMOND Football Club is saved.
The Tigers' Save Our Skins campaign ends today and although the club is $80,000 short of its $1 million target, club president Neville Crowe said the money raised appeared enough to ensure the club's survival.
"I think it would be a pretty crazy bank manager to come and hold a gun at our head now and say 'we are closing the doors'," Crowe said.
With coin collection tins and money raised from sportsmen's nights still to be received, Crowe is optimistic the $1 million will be achieved.
"We've got a press conference later today (at Punt Rd) and I'd like to think that by then we could say we have raised $1 million.
"We got a very good response yesterday and I'm hopeful that will continue today."
The club had debts of $1.2 million at the start of the campaign but set its sights on raising $1 million.
Crowe said the response from Richmond supporters, other AFL clubs, the media and the football public had been tremendous.
"Individually I got a personal donation from Ron Hovey, the Geelong president, and a donation from one of Geelong's coterie groups, the Pivotonians," Crowe said.
"Footscray Football Club gave us $200 and we've had pledges of support from various other clubs.
"Allan McAlister, Collingwood's president, pledged his club's support but we haven't seen it yet.
"But Allan is an honorable man and Collingwood is an honorable club, and they made plenty of money from the grand final so I'm sure we'll hear from them."
Crowe believes Richmond can trade profitably and is adamant the Tigers will not suffer further financial torment.
"It can never happen again," Crowe said.
Crowe said the rules regarding the salary cap and transfer fees would help stop a repeat of the club's financial woes. "That's where people went wrong in the past, spending money that we didn't have," he said.
The Save Our Skins campaign had many fundraisers, highlighted by the legends match between former Richmond and Carlton champions on September 30 which raised $108,000.
(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/crowe.jpg)
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(http://oneeyed-richmond.com/history/saveourskin/tigers_back.jpg)
THE END :thumbsup
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Some of the names to the photos:
1. Martin Bolger
2. Craig Lambert
3. KB
4. Allan McKellar in the centre plus Sean Bowden on the right (we think)
5. Michael Roach + ?
6. Cory Young on the left