TIGERS' TITLE BY 5 POINTS

RECORD 4981 POUNDS GATE

by Gerald Brosnan

Monday, 27th September 1943, The Sun News-Pictorial

Richmond won the 1943 League premiership on Saturday, and its first for nine years when, under ideal conditions, it defeated Essendon by five points in what was easily the keenest and most exciting match of the final series. The attendance, 42,073, and gross receipts, 4981 pounds, were records for the season.

An entertainment tax of 1207 pounds on the gate returns is an Australian football record.

The match was always entertaining and interesting, for whatever it lacked in quality - and that amounted to a good deal - was more than compensated for by the closeness of the scoring, the many exciting incidents, and the thrilling finish.

Each side in turn had bursts of success in which the team looked much superior to its opponent. Richmond, for instance, began by getting 3-2 to nil, then Essendon kicked 4-3 while the Tigers scored nine points. Richmond had control again before the interval, but after half-time the Dons raced ahead with three goals in four minutes.

The last quarter was a thriller. Richmond began five points down, but Dyer, following a brilliant mark, put the Tigers ahead with an easy goal. Harris got another and they were eight points in the lead. Then Lane came to light with six points for the Dons and the difference was only two points. Dyer, from a free, and Harris again got goals, but Tom Reynolds snapped Essendon's tenth and Torney punted the eleventh and, with only part of the time-off play left, the difference was only four points.

Kemp and Harris both missed for Richmond and then Betson, who might have levelled the scores, kicked high and the ball was rushed behind just as the bell rang.

There was little difference between the teams on the day, but I had a feeling all through that Richmond was a shade better.

Waldron Tigers' Best

Waldron, in the centre, was Richmond's most valuable player. He was in almost every forward movement and made very few mistakes. Harris would come next because of his seven goals, while Dyer, whom I have not seen in better form for years, would occupy third place. Merrett won handsomely on the wing; Oppy did a particularly good job whether roving or forward. Maguire held Lane easily and was very sound in defence in the critical closing stages, while others to do well were Cahill, Quinn, Perkins, Durham and Hunt.

Betson, a most improved player, who marked brilliantly and did more than his share of the heavy ruck work; Rawle, who played cleverly and coolly whether roving or forward; and Tom Reynolds, who was in top form and kicked seven goals, were Essendon's best. Torney, for his two goals and his solid ruck work, would be a good fourth, while Hutchinson, who had a great battle with Edwards on the wing, would come next. Others prominent were Buttsworth, Plummer, Bushby and Ruddell.

Attendance: 42,073

Receipts: 4981 pounds

1943 Richmond Premiership Side

B: J. Scott R. Durham R. Steele HB: R. Hunt L. Maguire B. Perkins C: L. Merrett B. Waldron B. Edwards HF: R. Quinn J. Broadstock B. Randall F: L. Cahill R. Bawden R. Harris R: J. Dyer A. Barr-Kemp M. Oppy I: L. Ablett

Quarter Scores

Richmond	4.2	6.5	8.8	12.14-86
Essendon	2.4	4.9	8.13	11.15-81

Goal-kickers

Richmond: Harris (7), Dyer (3), Bawden , Broadstock.

Essendon: T.Reynolds (7), Torney (2), Rawle, Lane.