On a personal level, I spent my first 10 years in the then VFL competition without ever playing alongside an indigenous player. It wasn’t until I arrived at Punt Road in 1987 that I was lucky enough to marvel up close at the skills of Phil Egan, Maurice Rioli and Michael Mitchell.
The Tigers didn't have an issue with it unlike allegedly rumoured a certain other club did at that time
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What a culture shock it must have been for Wallace. Walking out of a club that had played in the last 4 GFs straight into the wooden spoon side that was going broke. At least he can remind Sheeds he was BOG for us against the Bombers when we knocked them off early that year.