If you could bring back one Tiger who would it be?

[one-eyed]

As per title question ....

If your AFL team could bring back one player: Part 3

By Benjamin Millard
zerohanger.com
February 9, 2022
 
Hindsight is a beautiful thing, and in the world of football, we as fans tend to get caught up in the events of days gone by.

Every footy fanatic has that one player that they long to see take the field, however long gone their days of handling a Sherrin may be.

Whether it be Daicos or Doull, Ricciuto or Richardson, fans can usually point to a single figure that captured their imagination during their formative years of watching AFL football.

[We] go through ... teams in the league, pointing at the weak spots in their best 22 and picking one of four past players to slot into their lineup and remedy their club's ailments.

Richmond

Option 1: Kevin Bartlett

There is no doubting that 'Hungry' is one of Richmond's favourite sons, booting an astonishing 778 goals in 403 games mostly from midfield.

'KB' played in five Richmond premierships, racking up five best and fairest wins and four club leading goalkicker awards amongst a room full of other accolades.

Bartlett's nickname 'Hungry' came about from his ball-winning ability as well as his lack of desire to pass to his teammates, perhaps the reason why he booted so many majors over the course of his 18-year career.

Bartlett was the first VFL/AFL player ever to reach the 400 game milestone and was described by many of those who played either against him or with him as the trickiest footballer they'd encountered.

Option 2: Jack Dyer

The heart and soul of Richmond, Jack Dyer is an immortal at Tigerland for so many reasons.

With a playing career spanning 21-years from 1931 to 1952, 'Captain Blood', as he affectionately became known, was a fearless ball-winner who could drift down forward or play in the ruck if need be.

Dyer won two VFL premierships and five club best-and-fairests throughout his career, however, his most enduring mark on the game today is the drop-punt kick, which he arguably pioneered.

Nowadays, the Richmond best-and-fairest medal is named after Dyer, with a previous tradition also struck for Tiger captains to wear his famous number 17.

Option 3: Royce Hart

One of the best forwards to walk through the doors at Punt Road, Royce Hart was one of the bravest Tigers to ever take the field.

Booting 369 goals over 187 games, the Tasmanian had a short career at VFL level, however, he made a huge impact, winning four flags with Richmond as well as a pair of best and fairests in his decade of league football.

So potent was his effect on the footballing world that he was included at centre-half forward in the AFL Team of the Century, with his innate talent for taking pack splitting marks and booting goals putting him up there with the best to ever come out of the Apple Isle.

Option 4: Matthew Richardson

It's safe to say that during the club's darker years, 'Richo' was very much a big reason why the Tiger faithful kept showing up week after week despite poor results.

The Tasmanian big man booted 800 goals for his beloved Tigers, wearing his heart on his sleeve in every one of his 282 matches for the club. It was this passion that made Richmond fans take to him so much, with his exciting brand of football meaning that he never failed to get bums off seats.

Surprisingly, 'Richo' never won a Coleman and holds the record for the most goals kicked without taking the medal home. Nevertheless, Richardson has booted the most goals out of any player to play upon the MCG, gracing the hallowed turf with his presence every second weekend to boot goal after goal.

Verdict

After the Tigers broke their premiership drought in 2017, many fans wished that Richardson would've played in that side considering what he did for the club throughout their more bleak times, however, it is just too hard to pass on 'Hungry' himself.

Kevin Bartlett was truly mesmerising on his day, and his longevity is unparalleled at Punt Road to this day. Imagining Bartlett sharing a midfield with 'Dusty' Martin and company would have the Tiger faithful frothing at the mouth, with 'KB's goalscoring instinct being a huge weapon in Damien Hardwick's arsenal as the club pushes for yet another shot at September glory.

https://www.zerohanger.com/if-your-afl-team-could-bring-back-one-player-part-3-97484/2/

[Andyy]

Hungry would be one of the most useful in our current team IMO.

[TFL]

I guess you could look at it from different angles.

All of the others besides Richo experienced success, would love to have seen Richo up and about over the last 4 years.

He would have thrived with the game plan.

KB to fill a current need for sure though.

[Gracie]

So the idea here is to pick one former player to fit into the current team??

Dyer? as great as the man was playing in the ruck he was 185cm tall so in today's team he would need a different role

Similarly Hart was 187cm tall. Thinking he would be have to be like Deledio playing a medium forward role.

Bartlett would fit in nicely in the small forward role

But for mine Richo is the one that would improve the team

[lamington]

The only correct answer is Richo.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

If it was an option, I’d have Rance. Would back us in to win a flag with him in our side this year and would free up Balta to play more as a utility/forward.

[one-eyed]

Channel 9 asking the same question but the player can not be a premiership player.


The only rules are:
- They must have played for your club ✅
- They can't have won a premiership ❌


https://twitter.com/FootyonNine/status/1494189720435404803