RFC Memorable Moments #4: The Windy Hill Brawl

[one-eyed]

RFC Memorable Moment #4: THE WINDY HILL BRAWL



Extract from "Tigerland - History of the RFC"

There was tension aplenty around the club and the situation was equally tense at Windy Hill when the Bombers, out of the five on percentage, played host to Richmond in a game that was imperative to both teams.

Nobody could have foreseen the events of that day - one of the blackest in football history and certainly the most violent and torrid encounter since the infamous "Bloodbath" grand final of 1945. The game opened at a furious pace with lan Stewart outstanding in the centre and around the flanks as he roamed the forward zone. Ken Roberts was a live1y forward for the Bombers and Noonan was proving troublesome. It was a see-sawing encounter with both teams picking up five goals in the first term, Essendon's inaccuracy costing them a good lead. By half-time Richmond with 9.8 had forged clear of Essendon 7.12 but few people were talking about the scoreboard at the half-time break.

When the brawl exploded, spectators, children, police, officials, players and umpires massed together in one of the most incredible scenes seen on a VFL field. Brian Roberts was knocked out by a blow which broke his nose and cut his eye, and an Essendon trainer was knocked senseless. Punches, kicks and wrestling bouts raged uncontrolled for many minutes. When the dust settled the respective coaches had the problem of getting their teams back into the right frame of mind for a vital football encounter.

The Tigers returned to the field leading by 10 points and the crowd was in an angry mood and as had become the custom the Tigers were on the receiving end of much of the abuse. Those loyal supporters in the crowd had some torrid physical encounters as they vocally and physically supported their players. Sheedy, Stewart and Sproule were anything but unnerved by the atmosphere and played out the game with great coolness and precision. They found the goals 11 times as their fellow forwards missed repeatedly. A last quarter spraying of shots could easily have brought defeat but the steadiness of the experienced players resulted in a gratifying win 16.19 to 15.15.

[one-eyed]

MATCH REPORT

Round 7 at Windy Hill, Essendon
Saturday, May 18, 1974

RICHMOND     5.3     9.8     13.12     16.19-115   
ESSENDON    5.7     7.10    11.12     15.15-105

Richmond -
Goals: Stewart 5, Sproule 3, Sheedy 3, Hunt, Roberts, Wood, Bartlett, Morris.

Best: Sheedy (B.O.G.), Wood, McGhie, Stewart, Bourke, Sproule.

Replaced: Roberts (broken nose, cut eye) by Rae at half-time; Morris by Nettlefold in last quarter.

Umpire: Mike Henry
Crowd: 24,376


Fowler and Tuddenham

Quick Tigers Down Lazy Dons
by Peter Simunovich
The Sun

Essendon plays a lazy brand of football.

The Dons' lazy attitude - more than anything else - cost them the game against Richmond at Windy Hill on Saturday. Essendon is not lacking in fitness terms, but players did not create opportunities for team-mates when they had possession of the ball.

Richmond, on the other hand, always had a loose man downfield when it went into attack. The positive thinking Tigers threw Essendon off balance to win 16.19-115 to 15.15-105. The loose man attack cut swathes into Essendon's defence.

Five Goals

Half-forward Ian Stewart did most of the damage kicking five goals and being responsible for at least two others.

Essendon coach Des Tuddenham's plan to cut Richmond rover Kevin Bartlett out of the game was a failure. Tuddenham assigned rover Andy Wilson to shadow Bartlett, even when he was resting in a forward pocket. Wilson is a attacking player who, like Bartlett, averages about 25 kicks a match. But Wilson collected only 13 kicks and virtually cut himself from the game shadowing Bartlett, who still got his 25 kicks, although he wasn't as damaging as usual.

Essendon has the edge in the ruck with Graham Moss dominating after half-time when Richmond's Brian Roberts, who had a broken nose and cut left eye, did not resume. Moss was too tall for Richmond's Michael Green and repeatedly won the ball in the air.

But his good work was wasted as Richmond's Paul Sproule and Kevin Sheedy whipped the ball away from the packs.

Across the centre, Richmond had one winner, winger Bryan Wood, who was always a sure avenue of attack.

Dominated

But Essendon dominated the centre and the other wing with Neville Fields and Ken Fletcher beating Stephen Parsons and Wayne Walsh. Fields and Walsh had 23 kicks each, but the Essendon player was more constructive and damaging with his kicks.

Essendon's other clear winner was centre half-back Ron Andrews who outpointed Richmond's Mal Brown. Brown did not get a kick in the last half although he constructively handballed several times. Andrews was too fast for Brown and repeatedly beat him to the ball - in the air and on the ground.   
 

[one-eyed]

Outcry and Aftermath

Extract from "Tigerland - History of the RFC"

The resultant press and public outcry resulted in the VFL investigation officer Jack Chessell in charge of an inquiry and the VFL directors called an emergency meeting.

Following the investigation and the VFL meeting it was announced seven players and officials would be charged over the riot. The brawl took place on May 18 and on June 3 the Tribunal handed down its penalties: Essendon runner Laurie Ashley received six weeks, Essendon fitness advisor Jim Bradley six weeks, Essendon's Ron Andrews six weeks, Mal Brown one week, Richmond's Steve Parsons one match and Essendon's John Cassin was cleared. Essendon were not happy, nor were the Tigers when the VFL announced that team manager Graeme Richmond, who had his case heard by the directors, was to be fined $2000 and suspended until December 31.


The Tiges front page news(click on pic to enlarge)

On June 21, State Cabinet discussed the incident and following a police report both Graeme Richmond and Steve Parsons were charged over incidents in the brawl.

The VFL the following week asked Mr Richmond to appear before them to explain why he had not paid the fine. Richmond considered that not in their power with court proceedings pending. The dispute was reaching its peak in September as the Tigers geared themselves for the assault on the premiership. On September 11, Richmond and Parsons were cleared of the police charges and on September 18 Graeme Richmond was ordered to pay the fine of $2000 by December 31 or face indefinite suspension. The club plainly lacked support around the directors' table but not with the club members who called special meeting to protest the treatment of their team manager. On grand final eve, Mr Richmond took out a Supreme Court writ seeking to prevent the VFL implementing their penalties.
 
On December 17, the VFL board of directors brought the whole sorry business to an official end by dropping the $2000 fine. It would seem the club and Graeme Richmond had been finally vindicated but at great cost in time, emotion and money.

[one-eyed]

"IT'S RICHMOND AGAINST THE WORLD"

Extract from "Tigerland - History of the RFC"

While this incredible saga raged on, the Tiger players had to gather their thoughts, close ranks and go on with their game in the face of the most hostile public reaction ever heaped on football club. The public reaction was fanned by unrealist emphasis on the Richmond "mean machine." The Southby incident, the Pitura wrangle, the Wilson blast and now the Windy Hill riot had taken the community awareness away from the incredible skills of one of the finest ball-playing sides ever to grace a football field.

''It's Richmond against the world," Hafey told his emotional pent-up players.

The turmoil had united the players in common determination to carry the club through the crisis to dominating play on the field.

When they met Essendon again no side ever needed so little motivation as Richmond. There were bitter scores to be settle and the Tigers were in the mood to settle even without Mal Brown, who had succumbed to glandular fever several weeks earlier. The two Kevin's Bartlett and Sheedy, got the ball rolling for the home side and in the opening minutes it was clear this was going to be the day of retribution.

Bartlett pillaged the packs and following his mammoth 38 kicks against Geelong almost equalled the feat with 35 kicks. He was declared by every media representative best afield and keen judges declared this to be at least his eighth clear cut best afield performance for the season. Richmond ripped through the Essendon defence and controlled the packs through Roberts, Morris and Bartlett. After opening an early three goal lead, they powered their way through the game never losing the advantage and then came home with a thumping final quarter which displayed all their physical power, skills and professional­ism.

Their sixth win on the trot was by 47 points and despite efforts by Essendon to unsettle them with vigor they would not be drawn into a second bout of fighting. An added bonus was that with the results of the other matches affecting several of their finals rivals, the Tigers were left sitting on top of the ladder.

[Piping Shrike]

Interesting headline that the VFL "outed" GR.

I thought only the gossip columnists did that sort of thing.

[Mopsy]

Outcry and Aftermath

Extract from "Tigerland - History of the RFC"

The resultant press and public outcry resulted in the VFL investigation officer Jack Chessell in charge of an inquiry and the VFL directors called an emergency meeting.

Following the investigation and the VFL meeting it was announced seven players and officials would be charged over the riot. The brawl took place on May 18 and on June 3 the Tribunal handed down its penalties: Essendon runner Laurie Ashley received six weeks, Essendon fitness advisor Jim Bradley six weeks, Essendon's Ron Andrews six weeks, Mal Brown one week, Richmond's Steve Parsons one match and Essendon's John Cassin was cleared. Essendon were not happy, nor were the Tigers when the VFL announced that team manager Graeme Richmond, who had his case heard by the directors, was to be fined $2000 and suspended until December 31.


The Tiges front page news(click on pic to enlarge)

On June 21, State Cabinet discussed the incident and following a police report both Graeme Richmond and Steve Parsons were charged over incidents in the brawl.

The VFL the following week asked Mr Richmond to appear before them to explain why he had not paid the fine. Richmond considered that not in their power with court proceedings pending. The dispute was reaching its peak in September as the Tigers geared themselves for the assault on the premiership. On September 11, Richmond and Parsons were cleared of the police charges and on September 18 Graeme Richmond was ordered to pay the fine of $2000 by December 31 or face indefinite suspension. The club plainly lacked support around the directors' table but not with the club members who called special meeting to protest the treatment of their team manager. On grand final eve, Mr Richmond took out a Supreme Court writ seeking to prevent the VFL implementing their penalties.
 
On December 17, the VFL board of directors brought the whole sorry business to an official end by dropping the $2000 fine. It would seem the club and Graeme Richmond had been finally vindicated but at great cost in time, emotion and money.

Interesting to read the other article regarding petrol prices at 13.6c. a litre. At todays prices that fine would equate to almost $200.000 'wow'

[WilliamPowell]

Interesting to read the other article regarding petrol prices at 13.6c. a litre. At todays prices that fine would equate to almost $200.000 'wow'

Yeah I noticed it too Mopsy - a rise of 2c a gallon  these days it rises 10c over night

[mightytiges]

At todays prices that fine would equate to almost $200.000 'wow'

Say that again Mopsy. That is a massive fine for its day  .