By Matthew Richardson
realfooty.theage.com.au
May 30, 2004
Kevin,
With the recent publicity surrounding feuds between star players and their former clubs, I thought I'd take the opportunity to make a plea for you to return to Richmond.
Obviously, you are the only one who knows the full story behind your self-imposed exile from the club over the past 13 years, although the perception is that it relates to the people who were involved at Punt Road when you lost your coaching job at the end of the 1991 season.
But regardless of the circumstances of your departure and subsequent rift with the club, KB, I urge you to let bygones be bygones. The club is under the pump right now, and it's as good a time as ever for you to come back to Tigerland in whatever capacity you can.
One of my enduring memories of Jack Dyer's funeral last August is of you delivering the eulogy.
You spoke emotionally and articulately about the role Jack played when you first came to Richmond - about how the club could call on Captain Blood to accompany Graeme Richmond on recruiting trips to lure the "next big thing" to Punt Road. And how, during your stint as coach, Jack was involved in launching the "Save Our Skins" campaign.
Jack's gone now, but you, along with Tommy Hafey, are the only living Tiger immortals in the club's Hall of Fame, and you sit beside Dyer, Royce Hart and Francis Bourke among the greatest players to have worn the yellow and black.
I'm sure Tommy would admit he's had gripes with the club over the years, but he's always made himself available when required and he often drops in just to say g'day.
I know I get a lift when I see Tommy around, and he's always enthusiastic and positive. Whenever you ask him how he is, he replies: "Sensational - and getting better . . ." It's hard to be negative in Tommy's company.
There's no doubt that, like Tommy, you could have such a positive influence at Richmond in many different ways.
With your wonderful playing record, your coaching background and your media profile, the current Tigers' playing group could learn a lot from you.
We have a lot of young players on our list who would be rapt to have the opportunity to talk football with you.
Andy Krakouer and David Rodan are two, in particular, who would gain considerable knowledge from you about roving packs and crumbing goals.
I've heard you say that you've had your time at Tigerland, given 20-plus years of service to the club and have no desire to give any more of yourself.
But I've also heard you say that you wouldn't be where you are today without the Richmond Football Club. The club needs you to return the favour right now.
I can't help feeling that you've backed yourself into a corner with your refusal to attend club functions over the years.
My understanding is that you will be the only living player missing from the Tommy Hafey Club's 1969 premiership reunion luncheon on Wednesday.
Most of the current players will attend, and it would be an enormous boost to see you there.
I get the impression you don't know how to end this stand-off, and I'm sure you'd be concerned, and uncomfortable, with the enormous media coverage that your return to Richmond would attract.
It doesn't have to happen like that. You could make a low-key, private return that would break down the barriers and short-circuit a possible media frenzy.
I know you care very much about the club and still classify yourself as a Richmond supporter, and I ask you to realise how much you have to offer the Tigers.
It was great to see Doug Hawkins sit down with Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon during the week to sort out their differences - and that rift had been going on for only a relatively short time.
Wayne Schimmelbusch is now back in the fold at the Kangaroos and you would hope that Mick Martyn and the Roos will soon work through their issues.
As I wrote earlier, you are probably the only one who knows all the details of your departure from the club at the end of the '91 season. During my time in league football, it has seemed that a very high percentage of coaches, players and officials have been sacked or "asked to retire". But regardless of that, the old saying remains true - the club is much bigger than the individual.
Kevin, wouldn't it be great if at the end of this season, the club could give you a call and you would come out and have a chat with the next Nathan Brown - a young player who right now is considering whether he will come to Punt Road to help the Tigers get back on top?
I'm sure you would have a big influence on whether that player decides to join the club.
My earliest football memory is of the 1980 grand final, when you won the Norm Smith Medal in the Tigers' most recent premiership. You were an absolute legend to kids who barracked for Richmond, and that's why it's just so disappointing that in the 12 years I've been at Richmond, I've never had contact with you in a club sense.
I only hope that our young players, guys like Tommy Roach and Andrew Raines - whose fathers played beside you on that 1980 premiership-winning team - aren't saying the same thing a decade from now.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/05/29/1085641762165.html
