Hart and soul
03 June 2004 Herald Sun
In town to celebrate Richmond's 1969 flag, Royce Hart discusses the state of the club today, and the game in general.
GL: What brings you to the mainland?
RH: Coming over to the 1969 Tigers premiership reunion, one of four premierships in my time there. Must be a good day?
Yes it is a good day. Good to see the players who you played with and enjoyed some success with, and there hasn't been a lot around at Richmond in recent times. It might rekindle something, we hope. Let's hope so. They are certainly in the news.
They are, for all the wrong reasons. Do you keep up to speed with what is going on at your old club?
As much as I can. I'm down in Tasmania, so I read the newspapers and keep up with the football with the television coverage. How do you feel about what's going on at the moment?
Not real happy. Have you spoken to anyone involved at the football club?
No, I haven't. I recall a few years ago the late Graeme Richmond saying that football games are won between the months of October and January. His reasons for that were that was when the players first arrived at the club. I just think over the past few years there haven't been enough of the right type of players come (to the club). So you think it is more of a recruiting thing as opposed to problems at board level.
It could be a combination of both. I'm not that close to the administration side so I didn't know, but judging by the players and the way they play is entirely different to the way we played, and we won four premierships in five years. Will you be hoping to see Kevin Bartlett there?
I would hope he would be there. The indication is that he won't. Does that disappoint you?
I suppose it does, but he has his own reasons for that which we haven't discussed it at length. I wouldn't lose faith in trying to get him back. He's an important part of the club and a prominent member of the media, and so if they can get him back, it would be an advantage to the club. Have you met Clinton Casey?
Yes. Impressed with him?
He's OK, yes. I have no problems with Clinton. Do you fear for your club when you read of the financial problems?
You always do but I'm more disappointed with the way they play the game. I listen to you guys on the commentary say how important the movement of the ball is and I get a bit offended when I see a player's unwillingness, not just Richmond's, to kick the ball to a contest. A one-on-one situation was ideal in my day. They don't have Royce Hart but they do have Matthew Richardson, which is a pretty good reason to get the ball to him quickly.
Well he doesn't even have to mark it, as long as it falls to ground. If I didn't mark it, John Northey would swoop on it and kick five goals. I miss the specialist player; there are not too many players who can genuinely read the ball off the pack. You have little (Stephen) Milne and (Phil) Matera, but that's about it. Your thoughts on Richo?
I like him as a person, but it's a bit hard to comment on his football because I have never been asked to go down and talk to him about football. But you watch him play. He is probably going to play his days out as a full-forward.
Well he's probably suited there at this stage because he is even bigger and stronger now. Then again they have to get the ball down to him quickly. If they get the ball to him quickly, he is a better than a 60-40 chance of marking it against anyone. What about some of the great centre half-forwards of the past 30 years. How do you rate them?
Wayne Carey's career has been sensational. One person who has been underestimated is Stephen Kernahan. You can only go on someone's record and his was outstanding. Agree. A great leader too.
Yes he was, one of the best. There are some handy ones running around today.
Young (Nick) Riewoldt can play a bit. Born in Tasmania. I actually know the family. Jonathan Brown is a very good player. Reminds me of Dermott Brereton, very tough player. He makes a big difference to the Lions, having a big focal point like that. To play the way they do, you have to have big, strong guys in key positions. Leigh Matthews, as far as I'm concerned, has developed a style much the same as Tom Hafey had at Richmond and John Kennedy had at Hawthorn. No fuss, kick it long, and little blokes get to the contest.
Yes, I remember John Kennedy saying that everyone knows how we play, but he didn't care as long as they did it better than everyone else. Warren Tredrea?
He's another one in the same boat. How do you rate the Brisbane side of the past three years?
They are the best side I have seen. How would they go against the great Tiger sides of the late '60s and early '70s?
(Laughing) I don't know. I played there for 10 years and we played in five Grand Finals and won four. They are threatening that record. What about St Kilda?
They look OK but their test will come when they run into the likes of Brisbane in September. They are young and enthusiastic, and most importantly, as I said before, they have done magnificently well between the months of October and January with their recruits. So the Lions are still the yardstick?
Yes for sure, they have proved themselves, although I look back at the 1967 flag and we didn't have one single player who had played in a finals series but we had a good group that we kept together for several years. Should Gary Ablett be inducted into the Hall of Fame? You were one of the earliest inductees.
He should for his playing ability. Would he be in the best three players you have seen?
No, Ian Stewart was the best player I have seen. Simply because he didn't have the build or the stamina to do what he has done. His skills and courage were superb. Wayne Carey would be next, followed by Stephen Kernahan. Pretty handy trio.
Yes and Stewie is the only one who isn't a centre half-forward. Nick Dal Santo was likened to Ian Stewart recently. Fair comparison?
I've only seen him on TV and he looks pretty silky. Dal Santo probably has more natural skill than Ian Stewart, but Stewie was a person whose courage took him to heights that are yet to be surpassed. Dal Santo still has a long way to go, but he is good. Are you happy with the state of AFL footy?
The crowds and television are rating. The biggest problem for Tassie and country Victoria is that football doesn't have a strong enough presence in the schools and I am qualified to speak on that because I worked for the Tasmanian Football League in development for 10 years. I think the AFL are aware of that and hopefully they can assist in that area. Would you like to be starting your AFL career now, Royce?
(Laughing) Well, I would get a few more bruises on my chest these days than when I played. Tommy's style was get it and kick it long, doesn't matter how it gets down there, and the forward has got to be able to beat the backman. What about off the field. You would be the biggest name in football, have multiple media contracts, endorsements; you would set yourself up forever and a day.
(Laughing) I would be driving a Rolls Royce instead of an FJ Holden. You have had a few serious problems since you finished with your knees. Do you get bitter at all?
No, I don't because people have not had the privilege of doing what we did at Richmond and you would not change it for money at all. If it was a line ball, you would take the game in front of anything else. I guess that was what the reunion is all about. Who are you looking forward to catching up with?
I'm looking forward to seeing who has gone the greyest. Roger Dean had black hair when he captained us to the flag and now he looks like Santa Claus. Just looking forward to seeing Dick Clay, Francis Bourke, Michael Green, Barry Richardson and Bill Barrot. We all stuck together which was great. What happens at these functions, Royce? Do you all sit around and tell each other how good you are?
(Laughing) We get better with every beer. Run faster, kick longer, kick more goals. Will you get to see the Tigers play this year?
I don't know. Maybe towards the end of the year, depending on where I am at the time. http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,9727602%255E20121,00.html
