BRAVE ACTS OF THE CENTURY
Bill BURNS - May 8, 1909
Burns was a tough half-back, who was carried from the field following a collision during a match in May, 1909. The Tigers had to continue with just 17 players, as there was no interchange back then. Defying doctors' orders to go to hospital, Burns returned in the last quarter with the match hanging in the balance, took a magnificent mark, and kicked the winning goal.
GEORGE SMEATON - 1940s
Smeaton went into a semi-final clash during the 1940s with his right toe so badly broken it had turned black. The Club doctor had warned Smeaton against playing, but he ignored the medical advice. As the team's full-back, Smeaton continued to kick in after the opposition had scored a behind right throughout the match.
ERIC MOORE - September 27, 1969
Just before three-quarter time in the 1969 Grand Final against Carlton, Richmond spearhead Eric Moore bravely stood his ground in the goal square, waiting to mark a floating pass, as tough Blues' defenders Vin Waite and Kevin Hall thundered in. Moore took the mark, but was flattened heavily. He hauled himself up and then steered the ball through for an inspirational goal.
FRANCIS BOURKE - May 15, 1971
Bourke fractured his leg in the first quarter of a vital game against Hawthorn at Glenferrie Oval in 1971. He suffered the injury on a half-back flank and was sent to rest in a forward pocket at the opposite end to the dressing-rooms. After it became obvious he couldn't play on, he walked unaided to the rooms.
ROYCE HART - September 22, 1973
With Richmond trailing Collingwood by six goals at half-time in the 1973 Preliminary final, the Tigers were forced to bring on their injured skipper Royce Hart, who had sat out the first half with an injured knee. Hart had an immediate impact, booting two fine goals and providing the team with the necessary impetus to go on and clinch a memorable comeback win.
LAURIE FOWLER - September 29, 1973
The 179cm back pocket set the tone for Richmond's 1973 Grand Final triumph over Carlton when he decked the Blues' colossus John Nicholls early in the first quarter with a spectacular flying bump. Although Nicholls got up and kicked a goal from, the resultant free kick, he was dazed for the rest of the match and had little influence as the Tigers ran away.
ROBERT LAMB - June 17, 1978
During the second quarter of a mid-season match against Footscray in 1978, lamb courageously backed into the path of Bulldog back man Alby Smedts, marking the ball just before he was crashed to the ground. Bloodied and battered, lamb staggered to his feet and took his kick. Eventually, he was led off the field and subsequent X-rays revealed he had a broken jaw.
FRANCIS BOURKE - August 23, 1980
Bourke collided with teammate Stephen Mount in a tense Round 21, 1980, clash with North Melbourne at Arden Street and had trouble seeing because of the blood streaming down his face. He was subsequently moved from full-back to the opposite end of the ground where he immediately made his presence felt, taking a diving chest mark and slotting through a crucial goal.
TONY FREE - August 14, 1994
The Richmond captain's reputation for bravery was further enhanced this particular day at the MCG against Sydney... Free's jaw was broken in an off-the-ball incident with Dermott Brereton, after he’d put his body on the line to shepherd team mate Brendon Gale, prompting Tiger coach John Northey to urge his players to repay their skipper for his inspirational leadership.
MATTHEW RICHARDSON - May 26, 2007
Just eight days after suffering a broken nose, fractured eye socket and having 13 stitches inserted above his eye, courtesy of an accidental kick in the head from a teammate, Matthew Richardson lined up against Essendon in the 2007 ‘Dreamtime’ game. Far from being a token on-field presensce, ’Richo’ booted four goals in an outstanding, rousing effort.
