Vale Polly PerkinsBy Tony Greenberg 2:00 PM Wed 03 June, 2009
Richmond is mourning the passing of the last surviving member of its 1943 premiership side, ‘Polly’ Perkins.
Perkins died last Friday (May 29) aged 89.
Born William Albert Henry Perkins in England, Polly as he became affectionately known, emigrated to Australia with his family at age one.
Polly grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Noble Park and it was with the local football club, at age 16, that he first attracted the attention of Tiger talent scouts.
The Tigers signed him on a form four agreement after watching him star for Noble Park in the grand final .
He trialled in several practice matches with Richmond during the 1938 pre-season, but didn’t make the cut and returned to Noble Park.
A year later, he tried out with the Tigers again, and this time was rewarded with a place on the playing list.
The rest, as they say, is history – and mighty fine Tigerland history at that . . .
Perkins, a half-back, made his senior debut with Richmond in 1940 and went on to play 148 games until his retirement at the end of the 1949 season.
In “The Tigers of Old” book, Perkins was described as a “fearless, tenacious player, who could always be relied upon for his total commitment”.
He was one of the Tigers’ best players in the 1943 Premiership team, against Essendon, and a key member of the losing 1944 Grand Final side, against Fitzroy.
Twice he won the Club’s Most Determined award (in 1943 and 1948),he represented Victoria in State football once, and was made a Richmond Life Member in 1949.
After hanging up his boots at Punt Road, Polly joined radio station 3AW, where he spent nearly 30 years covering football as an “around-the-grounds” man.
He also was heavily involved with the Richmond Former Players and Officials’ Association for many years.
Tigerland salutes another of its great characters, who was the epitome of the famous “Eat ‘em Alive” spirit . . .
Richmond also is mourning the passing of former player, Ron Serich, at age 68.
Serich.was recruited to Richmond from Broken Hill. A forward, he played 28 games for the Tigers from 1961-63 and was a member of the Club’s only night premiership side, in 1962.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/6301/newsid/78156/default.aspx
