Richmond Football Club

Richmond Football Club
Names
Full name	Richmond Football Club
Nickname(s)	Tigers, Tiges
2016 season
Home-and-away season	13th
Leading goalkicker	Jack Riewoldt (48 goals)
Best and fairest	Dustin Martin
Club details
Founded	1885
Colours	Yellow      Black
Competition	Australian Football League
President	Peggy O'Neal
Coach	Damien Hardwick
Captain(s)	Trent Cotchin
Premierships	VFL/AFL (10): 1920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980 VFA (2): 1902, 1905
Ground(s)	Melbourne Cricket Ground (capacity: 100,024)
Training ground(s)	Punt Road Oval
Uniforms
Home Away Alternate
Other information
Official website	richmondfc.com.au

The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is a professional Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League (AFL).

The club has won ten premierships since joining the competition in 1908, its most recent win coming in 1980. The club is currently ranked sixth in the competition for premierships won. The club is also famous for finishing out of the top 8, only finishing in the top 8 three times in the last ten years.

Since the club's inception in 1885, its training and administration has been based at the Punt Road Oval, a few hundred metres to the east of its current day playing home, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Prior to 1965 the club played home games at Punt Road Oval.

Based in a traditionally working-class area, Richmond has long-standing rivalries with cross-town Melbourne-based clubs, Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon.

The club has been home to four AFL Hall of Fame Legends: Ian Stewart, Kevin Bartlett, Royce Hart and Jack Dyer.

History

Earliest days (1860–1900)

A team of footballers playing as Richmond is mentioned by the newspapers in the first years of Australian football, circa 1860.^[1] Tom Wills, one of the game's founders, was the club's inaugural secretary and captain,^[2] and Wills' cousin H. C. A. Harrison captained Richmond briefly in the early 1860s before moving to Geelong.^[3] This loosely organised group has no continuity to the present club. A number of teams formed in the Richmond area during the game's rapid expansion of the 1870s and early 1880s.^[4] However, all played at a junior level and it was considered an anomaly that Richmond, one of Melbourne's biggest locales, did not boast a senior team. The wait ended when the Richmond Football Club was officially formed at the Royal Hotel in Richmond on 20 February 1885.^[5] A successful application for immediate admission to the Victorian Football Association (VFA) followed. The club shared the Punt Road Oval with the Richmond Cricket Club, one of the strongest cricket clubs in Australia which had been playing on the ground since 1856.^[6]

At first the team wore a blue uniform. One of the most important features of a nineteenth-century footballer's uniform was his headgear, and Richmond opted for yellow and black striped caps, the same as the cricket club. After a couple of years, yellow and black stripes replaced blue as the colours of the team's guernseys. The team was variously called the "Richmondites", the "Wasps" or, most commonly, the "Tigers".

During the late 1880s, the VFA expanded rapidly. A booming economy and large numbers of immigrants made Melbourne the largest city in the Australian colonies. The city was mad with football and many clubs tried to get admission to the VFA. Richmond struggled to make an impression and after a promising season in 1888 (when they finished fifth with eleven wins), the club slipped backwards. In an amateur sport, the strongest teams were luring the best talent with undisclosed payments to players and were not keen to schedule matches against teams with poor followings (such as Richmond) that could not generate much gate money.

As the local economy slipped into severe depression in the early 1890s and the crowds began to dwindle, a number of strong teams began to agitate for a reform of the competition. Richmond were not considered part of this elite group, who usually voted together as a block at VFA meetings. A lack of commitment and focused effort was holding the Tigers back. In 1896, Richmond walked off the field in a match with South Melbourne at half time when they were a long way behind on a very wet day to protest the umpiring. Later in the season, the Tigers had their score annulled against Essendon when it was discovered that they had too many men on the ground. In the closing three weeks of the season, Richmond's gate takings amounted to just five pounds.

Richmond finished the season last of the 13 clubs. In October 1896, the cabal of six strong clubs broke with the association to form the Victorian Football League (VFL) and invited two other clubs to join them: Carlton and St Kilda. Richmond's struggles during the season had not helped when the invitations to the new competition were being considered. Richmond's performances did not immediately improve in the emaciated VFA until the turn of the century.

Success at last (1901–1907)

The Tigers were boosted by a significant country recruit in 1901. George "Mallee" Johnson was an instant sensation and the first true star player at the club. Richmond leapt to third place and then in 1902, with Johnson dominating the ruck, Richmond entered the closing weeks of the season neck and neck with Port Melbourne at the head of the ladder. Just when a play-off between the clubs to decide the premiership looked certain, Port Melbourne faltered against Williamstown to hand Richmond its first flag.

Having missed a potential bonanza from a premiership play-off, the VFA decided to emulate the VFL and introduce a finals series in 1903, a fateful decision for the Tigers. After recruiting the competition's leading goalkicker, Jack Hutchinson, and finishing the season as minor premier, Richmond lost both finals and were runner-up. The following season, the club became embroiled in a feud with umpire Allen, whom the Tigers accused of failing to curb field invasions or the illegal tactics of arch-rival North Melbourne.

When the two clubs were scheduled to meet in the 1904 VFA Grand Final, Richmond announced that they wouldn't play with Allen as umpire. The VFA called Richmond's bluff, and appointed Allen as umpire for the match, meaning that the Grand Final was scratched and North Melbourne won the premiership on forfeit. Richmond were now openly at odds with the VFA and matters failed to improve in the next few years.

The club was campaigning against violence (both on-field and among the crowd), ungentlemanly conduct and poor sportsmanship, issues that plagued the VFA to a far greater extent than the rival VFL. Richmond cultivated links with some VFL clubs by playing practice matches against them. Richmond knew that they were a major asset to the VFA. They had built up a large following and played on one of the best grounds in the competition, where they remained unbeaten for five consecutive seasons. In 1905, Richmond confirmed their status with a second premiership, this time overcoming bitter rivals North Melbourne, "Mallee" Johnson had moved to Carlton, but youngster Charlie Ricketts dominated the season and won plaudits among the pressmen, who voted him the best player in the VFA.

However, Ricketts was also lost to the VFL and injury hit the club hard. In 1906–07, the Tigers played finals without looking likely to win the flag. The club earned a rebuke from the VFA for scheduling a practice match against Geelong before the 1907 season. Richmond went ahead with the commitment and earned further censure. Later in the year it became clear that the VFL wanted to expand its competition and Richmond won a place ahead of North Melbourne, which had been strengthened by an amalgamation with the bankrupt West Melbourne as part of their bid. Richmond were granted admission along with the now defunct University Football Club.

Into the big league (1908–1944)

The first few seasons in the VFL were less than spectacular. Although the club turned up some star players, it let a lot of talent leave and the administration was unstable after George Bennett's death at the end of the 1908 season. In 1916, the side played in the finals for the first time, however, with World War I having reduced the competition to just four clubs, finals qualification was automatic.

Finally, in 1919, Richmond made their first Grand Final appearance, losing to Collingwood. Richmond stoked a rivalry with Collingwood by recruiting their former skipper Dan Minogue as playing coach and gained vengeance by beating Collingwood in the 1920 VFL Grand Final to secure a first flag in the big league. This was followed by an even better performance the next year. The only club that continued to beat Richmond on a regular basis was Carlton. Finishing minor premier with only one loss for the season in 1921, Carlton were the hottest premiership favourite, yet Richmond managed to beat them in two classic finals matches played over successive weeks to go back-to-back.

The rest of the decade saw four more Grand Final appearances, all of which would end in frustration. From 1927 to 1929 Richmond became the first club in the VFL to lose three consecutive Grand Finals, all of which were to neighbouring archrivals, Collingwood.

The next VFL flag came in 1932, with Richmond's triumph over Carlton in a tough encounter which saw Richmond wingman Alan Geddes play the second half with a broken jaw. Another premiership came in 1934, this time against South Melbourne's famed "Foreign Legion", avenging Richmond's loss in the 1933 VFL Grand Final.

Prior to the commencement of the 1940 season, internal problems were brewing between the key personalities at the club. Some felt that the uneven performance of the team was due to Percy Bentley's coaching methods, and that he should be replaced. Jack Dyer walked out on the club and threatened to play in the VFA after his father, a committeeman who was involved with the anti-Bentley faction, lost his position at the board elections. Finally, the matter was resolved and Bentley kept his job, while Dyer returned to training on the eve of the season. The problems appeared to have been solved when Richmond won the semi-final against Melbourne to go straight into the 1940 VFL Grand Final. However, Melbourne reversed this result with a crushing win to pinch the premiership. Richmond had been out-thought by their old mentor Frank 'Checker' Hughes, who had assigned a tagger to negate Dyer. Dyer was furious that Bentley had done nothing to prevent his opponent taking him out of the game. The Richmond committee agreed with this assessment, so when Bentley (after retiring as a player) attempted to negotiate a higher fee to continue his coaching tenure, he was rebuffed. Incensed, Bentley quit Punt Road and moved to Carlton as coach, adding further spice to an already fierce rivalry between the two clubs.

Despite the tribulations created by the Second World War, Richmond was able to maintain a commendable level of consistency on the field. The club had quite a lot of players in reserved occupations who remained at home, while the administration became adept at securing star players who were temporarily in Melbourne on war service. Dyer was a fearsome presence in his role as playing coach, but he was unable to improve Richmond's ability to win finals matches. A loss in the 1942 VFL Grand Final to Essendon (after starting as favourite) meant that over the previous 18 years, Richmond had won two flags but been runner-up eight times. Jack Titus set a still unbeaten record of playing in six losing Grand Final teams. In 1943, Richmond broke through to beat Essendon in a thrilling Grand Final by five points, a win that the club dedicated to ex-player Bill Cosgrove, an RAF pilot who had been killed in action a few weeks before the match. But another Grand Final loss followed in 1944, when Dyer's team failed against Fitzroy on a very hot day.

Tough times at Tigerland (1945–1965)

In the immediate post-war era, despite an influx of excellent new players, Richmond struggled to make the four, appearing in the finals only once, in 1947. Dyer continued on as coach for three years after his playing retirement at the end of 1949, but was asked to retire by the committee who felt the club needed a shake up. Under a succession of coaches in the 1950s, With the demands of potential players increasing with each passing year, the club refused to allocate sufficient funds to recruit and they failed to replace star players as they retired. When stalwarts such as Des Rowe and dual-Brownlow Medallist Roy Wright left, the team slumped dramatically and finished with a wooden spoon in 1960.

Success through Hafey Era (1966–1982)

1966 heralded the start of the Tom Hafey era. Hafey, a former player of the club, was appointed coach and lead the club to winning four premierships under his leadership. They won the 1967 flag in a thrilling encounter with Geelong, ending a 24-year premiership drought. In 1969, it became two in three years as Richmond, who had finished fourth on the ladder, beat the much fancied Carlton in the 1969 VFL Grand Final by 25 points.

Richmond were dominant in 1972 and were hot favourites in the 1972 VFL Grand Final against Carlton. However, Carlton stunned Richmond in a game of ridiculous high scoring. Even Richmond equalled the then record highest score in a Grand Final of 22.18 (150), but Carlton beat it with 28.9 (177). Richmond got their revenge in an intensely physical clash in the 1973 VFL Grand Final and went back-to-back in 1974 with a strong win against a resurgent North Melbourne.

Richmond won its last premiership with a then record-breaking margin of 81 points over arch-rivals Collingwood in 1980. After reaching and losing the 1982 VFL Grand Final, it has been a rocky road for Richmond who have struggled to come to grips with the rules and regulations of a modernised VFL, including the draft and salary cap. The successes of the early 1980s were bought at high financial cost through expensive recruiting, and were followed by severe cut backs that saw several top players depart.

Recruiting war (1983–1986)

Still smarting from the loss of star players to Collingwood, Richmond set themselves for war with Collingwood in 1984 by signing three of their players: John Annear, Craig Stewart and Phil Walsh. Not only were there big contracts and transfer fees to pay, but the costs of an expensive court action as well.

Richmond also signed a number of mediocre players on big contracts, and the club's financial situation took a battering. With the team failing to improve, a challenge to the committee was brewing and Richmond's traditional political stability threatened. The rebel group, organised by long-time servant Bill Durham, convinced former player and coach Barry Richardson to be leader. An election in late 1984 failed to clarify the situation.

Ian Wilson held on to the presidency into the new year. When the one hundredth birthday of the club arrived in February 1985, there was too much dissension to mark the moment fittingly. Eventually, Wilson handed over to Richardson, who had selected his former premiership teammate Paul Sproule to return from Tasmania and take over the coaching position on a guaranteed contract.

As the season progressed with Richmond still struggling, Sproule came under pressure. Richardson guaranteed his position, but at the end of the year, the committee overruled Richardson and sacked Sproule. Incensed, Richardson walked out of Punt Road, which was in turmoil again. Desperately, Richmond turned back to Tony Jewell, who was appointed coach for a second time, the only man in the club's history to get a second go at the job. Jewell later commented on the destruction wrought on the club during his four-year absence: "the supporters were gone, the members were gone, the money was gone, ... a real shame."

With the competition set to expand, Richmond made a number of misguided moves in 1986. To fill the vacancy left by Richardson, Richmond wooed high-flying West Australian entrepreneur Alan Bond to become president. Bond came with an agenda to raise money for the club by listing on the stockmarket and relocating to Brisbane. When the latter plan was revealed in the media, a furious reaction from supporters and high-profile club personalities buried the proposal almost immediately. Early in 1987, Bond's tenure at the club ended in farce when he resigned without presiding over a single game. The off-field confusion was reflected in the players' performance as Richmond slumped to only its second wooden spoon in 70 years.

Save Our Skins and a return to the Finals (1987–1995)

Although the new president, ex-captain Neville Crowe, had stabilised the club and scored a coup by persuading club legend Kevin Bartlett to coach, The club managed to stay solvent by cutting expenses to the bone and paying only two-thirds of the allowable salary cap. But there was no money for recruiting to improve an impoverished playing list. The club struggled to come to terms with the draft after its inception in 1986, and made a number of poor choices—notably, the number one pick in 1987 was used on a player who had only two games with Richmond.

Finally, with the economy in serious recession and interest rates touching seventeen per cent, Richmond's creditors came knocking. At one point, an attempt was made to seize the club's 1973 and 1974 premiership trophies as securities for unpaid debts, an embarrassing situation. For a number of years, the exact amount that the club owed was not publicly known. After Bartlett came Allan Jeans, who then passed the job to ex-Richmond premiership player John Northey for 1993. Northey returned the team to the simple long-kicking style of the halcyon days under the legendary Tom Hafey. Along with some draft concessions granted by the AFL, Northey's efforts gradually improved Richmond. The team fumbled an opportunity to make the 1994 finals, then opened 1995 with its best start to a season in 75 years and eventually made it to the preliminary final. With a talented playing list and a strong administration led by Leon Daphne (Richmond's first president from the corporate world, the Alan Bond farce aside), Richmond looked set to become regular finalists again.

During 1992 the Richmond Football Club logo was redesigned by Rob Perry (see external links), while he was working as an art director at the advertising agency George Patterson Bates in Melbourne. The illustration of the tiger was done by Lex Bell, the in-house illustrator of the agency.

Lost opportunities (1996–2004)

The anticipated success failed to materialise, partly because Richmond allowed the coaching position to again become unstable. With over a year still to run on his contract, John Northey demanded a contract extension that the club refused. This was because of a rumour that some people with an association with the club were pursuing Essendon coach and former Richmond premiership player Kevin Sheedy. So Northey walked out on Richmond and accepted a longer-term contract to coach the Brisbane Bears. Richmond, caught short, appointed the Bears' ex-coach Robert Walls for 1996. After several humiliating thrashings in 1997, Robert Walls became the first Richmond coach to be sacked mid-season. After two-and-a-half seasons under Jeff Gieschen, the club appointed ex-St Kilda captain Danny Frawley. After a Preliminary Final appearance in Frawley's second season, Richmond overestimated the strength of the list and settled for trading for established players rather than drafting youth. Over the next three seasons, the team managed just 18 wins. The administration continued to support Frawley and ensured that he would see out his contract, a far cry from the way many of his predecessors were treated. However, midway through the 2004 season (a season in which Richmond only managed 4 wins, and lost their last 14 H&A matches), Frawley announced he would be relinquishing his role as Richmond coach at seasons' end.

Beginning to rebuild and another wooden spoon (2005–2007)

The 2005 pre-season began with renewed optimism at the club, with No. 1 draft pick Brett Deledio being touted as a future star and leader. However, the Tigers' first match of the season (against Geelong), quickly dashed that hope, as they were thrashed by 62 points. However, this loss would spark a change in the Tigers, and in the next 8 weeks of the season, they would go on to win 7 matches (the one exception being a 68-point loss at the hands of St Kilda in Round 5). This included wins over the then-reigning premiers, Port Adelaide, and over then-runners up, the Brisbane Lions. Sitting pretty at 7 wins and 2 losses, and 3rd on the ladder, the impossible prospect of finals football loomed large. However, in the Round 10 match against Melbourne, star player Nathan Brown suffered a horrible leg injury, that would sideline him for the rest of the season. They went on to lose the match by 57 points, and would only register 3 more wins for the season (one of those was against eventual premiers the Sydney Swans by one point, who had a one-point win against Collingwood the round before), eventually finishing 12th.

2006, a year which many experts predicted continued improvement for the Tigers, saw them lose their first H&A match by 115 points, against the Western Bulldogs, after which followed losses to St Kilda and West Coast. By the end of Round 3, things were looking grim for the Tigers once again. However, just as they did in 2005, the Tigers would respond to their poor start by winning 8 of their next 11 matches, and by the end of Round 14, the Tigers were in the Top 8 by a game and percentage. However, their spot in the Top 8 would be short lived, as 4 straight losses between Rounds 15 and 18 would effectively end their finals chances. They finished the 2006 season in 9th place, with 11 wins and 11 losses.

After promising seasons in 2005 and 2006, it was expected that the Tigers would take the next step in 2007, and play finals football. After massive hype in the off-season, the Tigers had a terrible start to the 2007 season, losing their first 9 matches (this included suffering their biggest ever defeat, at the hands of eventual premiers Geelong, by a whopping 157 points). Their first premiership points came in a draw against the Brisbane Lions in Round 10, and their first win of the season didn't come until Round 12 against fellow straggler Melbourne. After Round 18 of the season, the Tigers had registered a mere 1 win, 1 draw, and 16 losses, and were looking like recording their worst ever recorded season. However, late-season victories over old rivals Collingwood in Round 19, and Essendon in Round 21, saved them from this fate. They would eventually finish the year as wooden-spooners, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 18 losses.

Centenary (2008)

After the end of the 2007 season, Richmond elected to delist Patrick Bowden, Brent Hartigan, Andrew Krakouer and Carl Peterson. These four joined another four players in leaving Punt Road—veteran Darren Gaspar, Kent Kingsley, Trent Knobel and Ray Hall. While these players left the club Jake King and Angus Graham were elevated off the rookie list.

During the trade period the Tigers obtained Bulldog midfielder Jordan McMahon along with Eagle forward Mitch Morton.

Next up came the 2007 AFL Draft, in which the Tigers recruited highly rated midfielder Trent Cotchin with their first pick (No. 2 overall), backman Alex Rance (pick No. 18 overall) and ruckman Dean Putt (pick No. 51 overall). Then, in the pre-season draft, they elected to pick David Gourdis with the number one pick. The Tigers also picked Clayton Collard, Jarrod Silvester, Tristan Cartledge and Cameron Howat for the rookie list. Cam Howat had previously been on the rookie list but was delisted then picked up again.

The Tigers had kept a low profile going into their Round 1 clash against Carlton. Many people predicted that Carlton would run all over Richmond because Carlton had received Chris Judd during the trade period. The Tigers trailed by as much as 25 points during the second quarter but they came back, led by Matthew Richardson kicking five goals. The Tigers ended up winning 17.7 (109) to Carlton 11.13 (79) in front of a crowd of 72,552 at the MCG.

From Rounds 2 to 11 however, the Tigers would only register two more wins (and a controversial draw against the Western Bulldogs). After Round 11's completion they sat in 12th place with three wins, one draw and seven losses. While many people wrote the Tigers of 2008 off at this point, they defied the odds and went on to win eight of their last 11 matches to finish off the 2008 season strongly, recording 11 wins, one draw and 10 losses. However, this would not be enough to get them into finals football, as they finished two premiership points short (and percentage) of 8th placed Collingwood, who finished with 12 wins and 10 losses.

Wallace era ends

At the start of 2009, Richmond was said to be rising as a team, and they would be in the eight . They had recruited former Brownlow Medallist Ben Cousins, and they had rising stars in Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin. However, the club was beaten by 83 points in Round 1 by Carlton, and did not register a win until Round 5, against North Melbourne. With a record of 2–9 after eleven weeks, Terry Wallace stepped down as coach, having announced his intention during the previous week. Jade Rawlings was announced as caretaker senior coach; he adopted a youth policy for the remainder of the year, which saw experienced players Joel Bowden and Matthew Richardson retire by the end of the year. Rawlings led Richmond to three wins and a draw from eleven games. Richmond finished fifteenth with a record of 5–16–1. On 25 August, Damien Hardwick was appointed to be the senior coach from 2010.

As Jade Rawlings and Craig McRae and Brian Royal left the Tigers assistant coaching panel, Brendon Lade and Justin Leppitsch were appointed as assistant coaches, leaving only Wayne Campbell as a previous Richmond assistant coach. Brendon Gale was also appointed CEO of the Tigers.

New coach, new list and a new beginning (2010–2012)

Richmond was not expected to be competitive in 2010, with many commentators predicting the team would win no more than four games. From the 2009 AFL Draft, the Tigers drafted seven new players, which included midfielder Dustin Martin. At the 2010 Pre-season Draft, Richmond recruited young key defender Dylan Grimes, brother of Melbourne defender Jack Grimes.

Damien Hardwick selected a young team at the start of the season, with four debutants, and very few players over 25 in the Round 1 loss against Carlton. Richmond was winless after nine games, before a scrappy win over Port Adelaide in Round 10. This was the start of a turnaround in Richmond's form, with the team winning six out of eight games, to sit with a record of 6–12 after eighteen rounds. After losing the final four matches, Richmond finished fifteenth out of sixteen with a record of 6–16. Young key forward Jack Riewoldt finished the season with 78 goals, to win the Coleman Medal.

Very early in the season, Richmond were criticised for "partying too much" in the wake of its winless start to the season; after the Round 3 loss to the Sydney Swans, Richmond players were reported to be at the bar drinking and acting in a disorderly manner.^[7]

Richmond continued to show improvement to finish 12th out of 17 teams in 2011 with eight wins including a strong win over Port Adelaide in Alice Springs mid-season.

Jack Riewoldt again led the goalkicking with 62 majors, down on his previous year's tally of 78. Young midfielder Trent Cotchin won his first Jack Dyer Medal with 236 votes.^[8] Cotchin also polled the most votes of any Richmond player in the 2011 Brownlow Medal count with 15 votes. Dustin Martin was next best, polling 12 votes.^[9]

Richmond's 2012 season did not see an improvement from the previous three years, as they lost 6 games by 12 points or less and finished 12th for the second year running. They were the first team to be beaten by the Gold Coast in the season, having led by ten points with less than a minute remaining, the Tigers produced what former Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos labelled "the worst 47 seconds in footy" to lose by two points.^[10] They did, however, defeat both of the eventual grand finalists Hawthorn and Sydney during the season, the only team to do so the entire year. 2012 also saw Richmond have its first Brownlow Medallist in over 40 years when Trent Cotchin polled 26 votes to be the joint winner with Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell.

Return to finals (2013–2015)

2013 saw the Tigers produce their best season in twelve years, with the club qualifying for its first finals series since 2001 and just its third since 1982.^[11][12] They were also one of only two teams to defeat the eventual premiers, Hawthorn, during the season. Richmond, however, were defeated by Carlton in the first elimination final, 18.8 (116) to 14.12 (96), and bowed out of the finals series. The crowd of 94,690 is the largest week-one final crowd since the AFL changed from a final four in 1972.^[13]

Also in 2013, Peggy O'Neal, an American-born lawyer, became the first woman in the Australian Football League to hold the position of club president when she was chosen as the president of the Richmond Football Club.^[14]

After finally breaking their finals drought the previous year, many believed the Tigers would build on this success in 2014 and push for a top-four berth. Following a disappointing start to the season which saw them win only 3 of their first 13 matches, the team went into Round 15 in 16th place, off the bottom of the ladder due to percentage. Despite public sentiment that the season was lost, the team rallied behind a five-goal performance by captain Trent Cotchin to win against St Kilda the following week.^[15] It was a win that would start a nine match winning streak, with a Round 23 victory against eventual grand-finalists Sydney claiming the Tigers eighth position on the ladder and putting the club into its first back-to-back finals appearance since 1975. A 57-point loss in their elimination final against Port Adelaide ended their finals campaign, knocking the club out in the first week of the finals for the second straight year.^[16]

The captain, Trent Cotchin, won the Jack Dyer Medal for the third time in four years, becoming the youngest Tiger to three club best and fairests.^[17]

Beginning the season with only 2 wins from 6 games, the Tigers faced the prospect of another disappointing season in 2015. In the following weeks however, they would register 4 straight wins including an upset victory over the previously undefeated Fremantle in Perth.^[18] Following the bye they also managed victories over top-four teams Sydney and the reigning premiers, Hawthorn. They then travelled to Adelaide, losing to the Crows by a disappointing 36 points, with coach Damien Hardwick saying "it felt like a 100 point loss". Richmond would go on to win the final four games of the home and away season against Gold Coast, Collingwood, Essendon and North Melbourne. Richmond finished fifth for the regular season with 60 premiership points and a percentage of 123.1 for the season.

In their home elimination final against North Melbourne, the Tigers were defeated by 17 points in front of a crowd of 90,186.^[19] It was the third consecutive year the team was defeated in the first week of the finals series.

Four time club captain Chris Newman retired at the end of 2015 after 268 games with the Tigers.^[20]

Tall defender Alex Rance was named club champion as well as the All-Australian Full Back.^[21] Jack Riewoldt and Brett Deledio were also named All-Australians.^[22]

Off-field, the club had another strong season, leading the league in home and away game attendances with an average crowd of 47,925.^[23] The club also broke its own membership records with 70,809 reported for the season.

2016 season—"Half-step back"

In 2016 Richmond failed to qualify for the final series for the first time in four years. Following a comprehensive Round 3 loss to Adelaide, coach Damien Hardwick said the team would have to "take a little half-step back to go two steps forward."^[24] It would go on to be the story of the season with the club debuting six players and bringing in two recruits for their first games in the yellow and black. As of August, prized recruit Chris Yarran has failed to play for the club at any level following periods away from the game due to foot injuries and mental health issues.

Key matches included the Round 19 loss to Greater Western Sydney in which the Tigers registered their lowest score since 1961 ^[25] and the Round 8 victory over the Swans which was won with a goal after the siren by small forward Sam Lloyd.

Centre half-back Troy Chaplin announced his retirement from the game in July in order to step into a development coaching role for the remainder of the season. He played 75 games for the club and a total of 215 for his career.^[26]

2017 season

In the preseason Richmond signed new recruits Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy and Toby Nankervis.

Richmond started off the season 5-0 in the first five rounds of the premiership season and first time since 1995. Defeating Carlton, Collingwood, West Coast, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Club identity and culture

Initially, Richmond saw itself as a gentlemanly and sportsman-like club; it even went to the extent of sacking a player who used poor language. During the early 1900s, the club used the press as a forum to publicise a campaign against violence in the game, which earned the derision of some rival clubs. This image followed the club into the VFL in 1908 and during the First World War the club emphasised the number of men associated with the club who had enlisted and served overseas. But the club's actions in 1916, when it voted with three other clubs seen as representative of the working class (Collingwood, Fitzroy and Carlton) to continue playing football, left no doubt as to which side of the class divide that the Tigers belonged. The club's self-consciously non-confrontational image can be partly attributed to two of long serving presidents—George Bennett (1887–1908) and Frank Tudor (1909–1918). Both were Richmond men and respected parliamentarians who took the view that how the game was played was more important than whether the game was won.

After World War I, the club's attitude hardened as they attempted to match it with the then power clubs Collingwood and Carlton. Eventually, the Tigers became more prosaic in their approach to recruiting and training.

The Hafey era transformed Richmond into one of the most feared combinations in the then VFL. The club's football administrator, Graham Richmond, drove the "win at all costs" mentality across the whole club, making Richmond a formidable force, winning five premierships from 1967 to 1980.

Since the Tigers' last grand final appearance in 1982, the club has appeared in five finals series (1995, 2001, 2013, 2014, 2015). Board and coaching instability during the 1980s and 1990s distracted the club and forced its focus away from becoming an onfield force.

Guernseys

The club's current home jumper design is black and features a yellow sash running from the top left of the jumper to the bottom right. For away games against teams with dark coloured jumpers, the club wears a clash strip with a reverse of this design, a black sash on a yellow base. In its first season, Richmond wore a blue jumper with a thin yellow-and-black sash running from right to left. Between 2011 and 2016, the club guernseys were manufactured by sportswear company BLK, who were known as KooGa Australia prior to 2014,^[27] before it went into receivership in November 2016. Puma manufactures the club's on-and-off field apparel.^[28]

Song: "Oh, we're from Tigerland"

Jack Malcolmson is credited with writing the words to the song in 1962, adapting them to the tune of "Row, Row, Row" (Monaco/Jerome), a show tune from the Ziegfeld Follies of 1912. Richmond were using words sung to the tune of Waltzing Matilda at the time and approached Malcolmson, a cabaret singer who was performing regularly at the Richmond Football Club Social Club, to write the lyrics. The current version of the song used by the club is a 1972 recording performed by the Fable Singers.^[29] The song is widely recognised as the best club song in the AFL/VFL competition.

Mascot

Richmond's club mascot is called Tiger "Stripes" Dyer, named after AFL legend Jack "Captain Blood" Dyer. After taking over from Tiggy (Richmond's earlier mascot), Stripes displays character and attributes synonymous to the club's "never say die" attitude. He remains as a solid foundation for fan engagement and is commonly seen as the team's playful and entertaining jokester, prowling the stands and getting among the fans, to be known as the league's most loved mascot.^[30]

Stadium

The club's home ground is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where the team plays most of their home matches in the regular season. The MCG has a capacity of 100,000 and the club usually draws large attendances against Victorian clubs, particularly rivals such as Essendon, Collingwood, Carlton and Hawthorn.

The club also plays select home games against smaller local and interstate clubs at the smaller capacity Docklands Stadium.

Richmond's training ground and base of operations is located at the Punt Road Oval, currently branded as the ME Centre, located a few hundred metres from the MCG.

Administration and corporate

Club administration since 1908^[31]

Year President Chief Executive Officer Treasurer 2013–present Peggy O'Neal Brendon Gale Robert Dalton 2010–2012 Gary March Brendon Gale Robert Dalton Year President General Manager Treasurer 2006–2009 Gary March Steve Wright Garry Cameron 2005 Clinton Casey Gary March Steve Wright Garry Cameron 2004 Clinton Casey Ian Campbell Steve Wright Garry Cameron 2003 Clinton Casey Ian Campbell Garry Cameron 2001–2002 Clinton Casey Mark Brayshaw Garry Cameron 2000 Clinton Casey Mark Brayshaw Terry Grigg 1999 Leon Daphne Jim Malone Terry Grigg 1995–1998 Leon Daphne Jim Malone Keith Miller 1994 Leon Daphne Cameron Schwab Jim Malone Keith Miller 1993 Neville Crowe Leon Daphne Cameron Schwab Keith Miller 1991–1992 Neville Crowe Cameron Schwab Keith Miller 1989–1990 Neville Crowe Cameron Schwab Michael Humphris 1988 Neville Cowe Richard Doggett Cameron Schwab Michael Humphris 1987 Alan Bond Neville Crowe Richard Doggett Michael Humphris 1986 Bill Durham Kevin Dixon Richard Doggett John McCormack Michael Humphris 1985 Ian Wilson Barry Richardson Kevin Dixon John McCormack 1981–1984 Ian Wilson Kevin Dixon Ron Carson 1980 Ian Wilson Richard Doggett Richard Doggett 1979 Ian Wilson Gareth Andrews Richard Doggett Gareth Andrews Richard Doggett 1978 Ian Wilson Gareth Andrews Gareth Andrews

Year President Secretary Treasurer 1977 Ian Wilson Max Scales Max Scales 1974–1976 Ian Wilson Alan Schwab Alan Schwab 1973 Al Board Alan Schwab Alan Schwab 1972 Al Board Alan Schwab Pat Kennelly Alan Schwab 1971 Ray Dunn Al Board Alan Schwab Pat Kennelly 1970 Ray Dunn Alan Schwab Ron Carson 1969 Ray Dunn Alan Schwab Graeme Richmond 1968 Ray Dunn Graeme Richmond Alan Schwab Ron Carson Graeme Richmond 1966–1967 Ray Dunn Graeme Richmond Ron Carson 1965 Ray Dunn Graeme Richmond Graeme Richmond 1964 Ray Dunn Graeme Richmond I Cameron 1963 Maurie Fleming Graeme Richmond Bill Tymms 1962 Maurie Fleming Bill Tymms Graeme Richmond Bill Tymms 1960–1961 Maurie Fleming Bill Tymms Bill Tymms 1959 Maurie Fleming Bill Tymms Bill Quinn 1958 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Bill Tymms Bill Quinn 1956–1957 Harry Dyke Bill Tymms Bill Quinn 1955 Harry Dyke Hector Lingwood-Smith Bill Tymms Bill Quinn 1953–1954 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Bill Quinn 1952 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Hector Lingwood-Smith Bill Quinn 1950–1951 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Bill Quinn 1949 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Jack Smith Bill Quinn 1947–1948 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Jack Smith 1940–1946 Harry Dyke Maurie Fleming Charlie Turner 1939 Barney Herbert Maurie Sheahan Charlie Turner 1938 Lou Roberts John Smith Charlie Turner 1937 Lou Roberts John Smith George Smith 1936 Lou Roberts John Smith Jos Langdon 1932–1935 Barney Herbert John Smith Jos Langdon 1925–1931 Jack Archer Percy Page Jos Langdon 1924 Jack Archer Percy Page Abe Aarons 1921–1923 Alf Wood Bill Maybury Abe Aarons 1919–1920 Alf Wood Bill Maybury Jack Archer 1917–1918 Frank Tudor Bill Maybury Jack Archer 1913–1916 Frank Tudor Bill Lohse Jack Archer 1912 Frank Tudor George Beachcroft James MacDermott 1909–1911 Frank Tudor Andrew Manzie Archie McNair 1908 George Bennett Andrew Manzie Archie McNair

Supporter base

Richmond has a large supporter base and which is known for its dedication, including its personal cheer squad who attend both home and away matches for the club. Membership record for the club hit 72,000 in 2016 making it one of the most supported clubs in the Australian Football League.

The building of the fan base was a slow process for Richmond. In the 1890s, the club never sold more than 300 season's tickets, but the following was built up with success in the VFA and membership numbered about 2,000 at the time of admission to the VFL in 1908. Between the wars, the club captured the imagination of the residents of Richmond. The successful Tigers were a positive motif for the oppressed working class community which suffered deprivation during the Great Depression. At this time, the Richmond community was almost half Catholic, and this demographic was reflected in the club among the players and officials.

As Melbourne dramatically spread out in the post-war years, so too did the Richmond supporters. Many were now concentrated in the eastern suburbs, which eventually formed the club's metropolitan recruiting zone. Indeed, at one point during the early development of the Waverley Park ground, the Tigers considered making the stadium its home for this reason. Following the barren period of the 1950s, Richmond was able to tap into the large number of fans by moving home matches to the MCG and almost doubled attendance figures. The Tigers maintained this advantage over the other clubs until the mid-1980s, when poor administration led to a downturn in every area of the club. As the club struggled for funds, the membership plummeted from over 10,000 to under 3,000.

The greatest display of loyalty from the fans occurred during 1990. Threatened by liquidation, the supporters rallied to pay off the multimillion-dollar debt via the "Save Our Skins" campaign.^[32] In 2011, the club launched the Fighting Tiger Fund to reduce the club's debt and to allow it to increase spending on the football department in order to be more competitive on field.^[33]

In 2013, the club launched The Roar is Back membership promotion aiming at signing up 60,000 members in a season for the first time ever. Following a successful campaign, on 24 June 2013, Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale confirmed that membership had passed 60,000.^[34][35] The club created a limited edition commemorative Sherrin football to celebrate the achievement and it was distributed free to families at the 'Thank you for 60,000 members BBQ/Training Morning' at Punt Road Oval on 29 June 2013. The official membership total for 2013 was 60,321.^[36]

For statistical purposes 30 June is the cut-off date for membership numbers although it does continue to sell memberships. In 2013, after 30 June the club commenced bundling 2013 and 2014 membership years into a special "Sign up as a member for 2014 and get the rest of 2013 free!" offer.^[37] The 2014 membership total of 66,122^[38] gave Richmond the 3rd biggest membership base in the AFL behind Collingwood and Hawthorn (80,793 and 68,650 respectively). This record was again broken in 2015 with the club signing up 70,809 members, still ranking 3rd in total membership numbers. The club averaged the highest crowds in the AFL of 49,841 in 2015, home crowd averaged 53,236 the highest in the 2015 AFL season

Membership

Season	Ticketed Members	Finishing Position	Total Attendance	Average Attendance
2017	68,576	-	-	-
2016	72,206	12th	900,237	40,921
2015	70,809	5th	1,146,335*	49,841*
2014	66,122	8th	889,658*	38,681*
2013	60,321	5th	1,134,980*	49,347*
2012	53,027	12th	871,504	39,614
2011	40,184	12th	895,290	40,695
2010	35,960	15th	834,590	37,936
2009	36,985	15th	868,855	39,493
2008	30,820	9th	935,002	42,500
2007	30,044	16th	909,203	41,327
2006	29,406	9th	855,556	38,888
2005	28,029	12th	802,885	36,494
2004	27,133	16th	751,982	34,181
2003	25,101	13th	830,841	37,765
2002	27,251	14th	776,113	35,277
2001	26,501	3rd	1,173,875*	46,955*
2000	26,869	9th	853,916	38,814
1999	29,047	12th	885,159	40,234
1998	27,092	9th	1,023,821	46,537
1997	24,975	13th	783,517	35,614
1996	20,308	9th	850,966	38,680
1995	14,647	3rd	1,104,607*	44,184*
1994	8,229	9th	646,301	29,377
1993	9,918	14th	484,041	24,202
1992	8,158	13th	474,575	21,571

Club records in bold text.
^* Includes three finals in 1995, 2001 and one final in 2013, 2014.

Cheer squad

The Official Richmond Cheer Squad is an organised group of passionate supporters who attend every Richmond game whether in Melbourne or interstate. There are also supporter groups located in each state of Australia.^[39]

Club honour board

Premiership teams

See Richmond premiership teams

Richmond Team of the Century

In 1998, Richmond announced its Team of the 20th Century. The selection of the 22 players shows an even spread of champions from all the eras of the club: Thorp from the club's first premiership wins of 1920–21; McCormack, Strang, Titus and Dyer from the inter-war years; Rowe, Morris and Wright from the battling era after the war; Richardson and Knights from recent times. But the great days from the late 1960s to the early 1980s provide the bulk of the side: Sheedy, Green, Keane, Bourke, Barrot, Clay, Hart, Dean and Bartlett who made up the core of Tom Hafey's teams, and later success stories Weightman and Raines. Ian Stewart, named on the bench, managed selection in a team of the century at two clubs—he was named in the centre of St Kilda's team as well. Richmond has four players denoted below with an asterisk who are also members of AFL Team of the Century. This is the second-most of any club.

Richmond Team of the Century
B:	Kevin Sheedy 1967–79, 180cm 81k, 251 games 91 goals	Vic Thorp 1910–25, 178cm 83k, 263 games 7 goals	Michael Green 1966–75, 193cm 94k, 146 games 83 goals
HB:	Basil McCormack 1925–36, 180cm 80k, 199 games 1 goal	Gordon Strang 1931–38, 185cm 83k, 116 games 108 goals	Mervyn Keane 1972–84, 185cm 82k, 238 games 36 goals
C:	Francis Bourke * 1967–81, 185cm 83k, 300 games 71 goals	Bill Barrot 1961–70, 180 cm 76k, 120 games 91 goals	Dick Clay 1966–76, 185cm 85k, 213 games 80 goals
HF:	Matthew Richardson 1993–2009 , 197cm 103k, 282 games 800 goals	Royce Hart * 1967–77, 187cm 86k, 187 games 369 goals	Roger Dean 1957–73, 175cm 73k, 245 games 204 goals
F:	Dale Weightman 1978–93, 170cm 69k, 274 games 344 goals	Jack Titus 1926–43, 175cm 66k, 294 games 970 goals	Bill Morris 1942–51, 188cm 86k, 140 games 98 goals
Foll:	Roy Wright 1946–59, 188cm, 102k, 195 games 127 goals	Jack Dyer * (capt) 1931–49, 185cm 89k, 312 games 443 goals	Kevin Bartlett 1965–83, 175cm 71k, 403 games 778 goals
Int:	Des Rowe 1946–57, 182cm 83k, 175 games 24 goals	Geoff Raines 1976–82, 180cm 78k, 134 games 53 goals	Ian Stewart * 1971–75, 180cm 78k, 78 games 55 goals
	Matthew Knights 1988–2002, 179cm 74k, 279 games 141 goals
Coach:	Tom Hafey Played 248 Won 173 Lost 73 Drawn 2

Australian Football Hall of Fame members

As legends of the game:

• Jack Dyer
• Kevin Bartlett
• Ian Stewart
• Royce Hart

As players of the game:

• Percy Bentley
• Francis Bourke
• Dan Minogue
• Bill Morris
• Charlie Pannam
• Vic Thorp
• Jack Titus
• Dale Weightman
• Roy Wright
• Matthew Richardson
• Maurice Rioli

As coaches of the game:

• Tom Hafey
• Frank 'Checker' Hughes

Richmond Hall of Fame

The club's hall of fame was created in 2002 with 23 inductees. Below is a list, separated into categories, of members and the year they were inducted. To date, six Richmond "Immortals" have been named, the first of whom was Jack Dyer, the year before his death in 2003. Dyer was followed by Kevin Bartlett, Tom Hafey, Francis Bourke, Royce Hart and Vic Thorp.

Players	Players	Players	Players	Coaches	Servants
Neil Balme 2010 Bill Barrot 2007 Kevin Bartlett 2002 Percy Bentley 2002 Martin Bolger 2005 Francis Bourke 2002 Ron Branton 2006 Wayne Campbell 2013 Dick Clay 2002 David Cloke 2007 Roger Dean 2002	Donald Don 2015 Jack Dyer 2002 Alec Edmond 2007 Alan Geddes 2007 Michael Green 2004 Clarrie Hall 2006 Dick Harris 2004 Royce Hart 2002 Frank Hughes 2004 Hugh James 2005 Jim Jess 2008	Mervyn Keane 2005 Mark Lee 2010 Ray Martin 2010 Basil McCormack 2004 Bill Morris 2002 Tom O'Halloran 2013 Kevin O'Neill 2008 Max Oppy 2004 Geoff Raines 2008 Matthew Richardson 2015 Michael Roach 2002	Des Rowe 2004 Havel Rowe 2015 Barry Rowlings 2015 Kevin Sheedy 2002 Ian Stewart 2013 Vic Thorp 2002 Jack Titus 2002 Wayne Walsh 2013 Dale Weightman 2002 Bryan Wood 2006 Roy Wright 2002	Tom Hafey 2002 Dan Minogue 2002	Charlie Backhouse 2002 Charlie Callander 2002 James Charles 2002 Allan Cooke 2006 Neville Crowe 2002 Ray Dunn 2002 Barney Herbert 2004 Tony Jewell 2002 Barry Richardson 2004 Graeme Richmond 2002 Alice Wills 2002 Ian Wilson 2010

"100 Tiger Treasures"

During the centenary season the tigers announced their 100 Tiger Treasures consisting of 10 awards, each with 10 nominees given by the Richmond Football Club in 2008 to celebrate their centenary year of competition in the VFL/AFL.^[40] The awards were mostly given to players but also club moments and campaigns. On Saturday, 28 June Richmond held a centenary celebration at Punt Road Oval before the centenary game at the MCG against arch rivials Carlton later that day.

Award	Winner	Nominees
Best Individual Performance of the Century	Kevin Bartlett "Put his unique stamp on the 1980 finals series, kicking 21 goals as a half-forward in Richmond's three appearances, including seven in the Grand Final massacre of the Magpies, which earned him the Norm Smith Medal for being best afield."	Jack Titus Doug Strang Jack Dyer Roy Wright Tommy Hafey Bill Barrot Michael Green David Cloke Matthew Knights
Class of the Century	Royce Hart "Thrilled Tiger fans for a decade with his match-winning exploits at centre half-forward. His dominance up forward was a major factor in the Club's run of four premierships from 1967–74. He was an extraordinary mark, a deadeye shot for goal, very courageous and, when the ball hit the ground, he swooped on it like a rover."	Vic Thorp Bill Morris Ian Stewart Kevin Bartlett Dick Clay Paul Sproule Geoff Raines Dale Weightman Maurice Rioli
The Strong & the Bold	Jack Dyer "No player in the history of the game epitomises his club more than the man known as 'Captain Blood'. He struck fear into the hearts and minds of all opposition players during the 1930s and 40s. Was renowned for his bone-jarring shirtfronts, which left many an opponent bloodied, battered and bruised. He bled for the Tigers and expected his teammates to do likewise."	Basil McCormack Percy Bentley Max Oppy Roger Dean Martin Bolger Des Rowe Matthew Richardson Kevin Sheedy Francis Bourke
Defining Moment	Save Our Skins "On 15 August 1990, Richmond announced that it needed to raise $1 million by 31 October that year, or it would cease to exist. The Save Our Skins campaign was immediately established to keep the Tigers alive. With Club president Neville Crowe as the figurehead, the SOS campaign did exactly what it set out to achieve, raising the necessary funds to stave off the threat of extinction."	Joining The VFL The Sash First Premiership Eat 'Em Alive Jack Dyer's Debut The Theme Song Move To The MCG Tommy Hafey's Appointment As Coach Breaking The Drought In '67
Servant of the Century	Graeme Richmond "Graeme Richmond filled a variety of important roles at Tigerland over more than 30 years of devoted service. He was a shrewd, ruthless administrator, who never wasted an opportunity that could benefit his beloved Tigers. His strength lay in his relentless persuasiveness—he was a masterly recruiter and negotiator. And, as a speaker, arguably there have been none finer in league football history."	Charlie Callander Charlie Priestley Ray Dunn Alan Schwab Allan Cooke Maurie Fleming Neville Crowe Alice Wills Ian Wilson
Brave Act of the Century	Francis Bourke "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."	Bill Burns George Smeaton Eric Moore Francis Bourke Royce Hart Laurie Fowler Robert Lamb Tony Free Matthew Richardson
Premiership of the Century	1967 "Richmond, under coach Tommy Hafey, finished the 1967 home-and-away season on top. The Tigers disposed of Carlton by 40 points in the second-semi, then faced up to a star-studded Geelong combination in the Grand Final. At the end of a spectacular contest, Richmond had broken a 24-year premiership drought. Barrot, Brown, Hart, Dean and Bartlett starred, while unsung hero Ronaldson kicked three vital goals."	1920 1921 1932 1934 1943 1969 1973 1974 1980
Mark of the Century	Michael Roach "The superstar full-forward was a noted high-flyer during his 200-game career at Tigerland, but the mark he took against Hawthorn at the MCG in 1979 was, almost literally, out of this world. 'Roachy' actually rose so high over a huge nest of Hawk players, he ended up making it a chest mark!"	Thomas O'Halloran Royce Hart Malcolm Greenslade Kevin Sheedy Bryan Wood Geoff Raines Michael Mitchell David Bourke Matthew Richardson
Goal of the Century	Michael Mitchell "The little Tiger excitement machine decided to take off on a bit of a trot during the team's final home-and-away match of the 1990 season, against Sydney at the SCG. After gathering the ball deep in defence, 'Mitch' took one bounce, then another, and then five more (seven in total), before calmly drilling home an incredibly inspirational goal."	John Ronaldson Bill Barrot Michael Roach Kevin Bartlett Jimmy Jess Matthew Knights Joel Bowden Nathan Brown Chris Newman
Controversy of the Century	Windy Hill Brawl "On 18 May 1974, all hell broke loose at half-time of Richmond's clash with Essendon at Windy Hill as the players were leaving the field . . . A massive brawl erupted, involving players and officials of both clubs. Following a league investigation, several players and officials received suspensions, the heaviest being for Graeme Richmond, who was rubbed out until 31 December and also fined $2000."	Dean/Barassi Incident In 1963 Crowe/Nicholls Incident In 1967 Second-Semi Barrot/Stewart Swap Neil Balme's Rampage, 1973 Grand Final John Pitura Trade Jewell/Jones Quarter-Time Brawl 1980's Trade Wars With Collingwood Alan Bond's Brisbane Plan Jeff Hogg Trade

Captains

Coaches

Current squad

Richmond Football Club
Senior list						Rookie list		Coaching staff
1 Nick Vlastuin  2 Dylan Grimes  3 Dion Prestia  4 Dustin Martin  5 Brandon Ellis  6 Shaun Grigg  7 Ben Lennon  8 Jack Riewoldt (vc)  9 Trent Cotchin (c) 10 Shane Edwards 11 Jake Batchelor 12 David Astbury 14 Bachar Houli 15 Jayden Short 16 Shaun Hampson 17 Daniel Rioli 18 Alex Rance (vc) 20 Ivan Maric 21 Jacob Townsend 22 Josh Caddy		23 Kane Lambert 24 Ben Griffiths 25 Toby Nankervis 26 Anthony Miles 27 Sam Lloyd 28 Taylor Hunt 29 Shai Bolton 30 Reece Conca 31 Oleg Markov 32 Corey Ellis 33 Kamdyn McIntosh 34 Jack Graham 35 Nathan Broad 37 Connor Menadue 38 Steven Morris 39 Nathan Drummond 40 Dan Butler 42 Ryan Garthwaite 43 Todd Elton				36 Callum Moore 41 Mabior Chol 44 Tyson Stengle 46 Jason Castagna 47 Ivan Soldo (B)		Head coach Damien Hardwick Assistant coaches Blake Caracella (midfield spread) Andrew McQualter (midfield stoppage) Justin Leppitsch (forwards) Ben Rutten (defence) Xavier Clarke (development) Ryan Ferguson (development) Craig McRae (VFL coach / development) Legend: (c) Captain (vc) Vice captain Long-term injury list Upgraded rookie (B) Category B rookie Updated: 1 June 2017 Source(s): Senior list, Rookie list, Coaching staff

Records

Club records

VFL/AFL Premierships	10 - 1920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980
VFL/AFL Runner-up	12 - 1919, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1972, 1982
VFL/AFL Reserve Premierships	9 - 1929, 1946, 1954, 1955, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1997
VFL/AFL Under 19 Premierships	11 - 1958, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1989
McClelland Trophies	7 - 1967, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1982
Champions of Australia	3 - 1969, 1973, 1974
VFL Night Series Premierships	1 - 1962
VFL/AFL Lightning Premierships	1 - 1953
VFL/AFL "Wooden Spoons"	6 - 1917, 1960, 1987, 1989, 2004, 2007

Win-Loss record	Played: 2,217	Won: 1,115    Lost: 1,080    Drawn: 22    (up to Round 12, 2017)
Highest score	222 (34.18)	vs. St Kilda, Round 16, 1980 at SCG
Lowest score	8 (0.8)	vs. St Kilda, Round 16, 1961 at Junction Oval
Greatest winning margin	168 points	vs. North Melbourne, Round 2, 1931 at Punt Road Oval
Greatest losing margin	157 points	vs. Geelong, Round 6, 2007 at Telstra Dome
Biggest match attendance	119,165	vs. Carlton, Grand Final, 1969 at MCG
Biggest home & away match attendance	92,436	vs. Collingwood, Round 4, 1977 at MCG

Career records

Statistic	Record	Player	Seasons inclusive
Most league Best and Fairest awards	2	Roy Wright	1952, 1954
Most seasons as league leading goal kicker	2	Michael Roach	1980-81
		Jack Riewoldt	2010, 2012
Most All-Australian selections	3	Mark Lee	1980, 1983, 1985
		Dale Weightman	1985-1986, 1988
		Matthew Richardson	1996, 1999, 2008
		Alex Rance	2014, 2015, 2016
Most club Best & Fairest awards	6	Jack Dyer	1932, 1937–1940, 1946
Most seasons as club leading goal-kicker	13	Matthew Richardson	1994, 1996–1999, 2001–2008
Games played	403	Kevin Bartlett	1965–1983
Games played as captain	168	Percy Bentley	1932–1940
Games as coach	248	Tom Hafey	1966–1976
Goals	970	Jack Titus	1926–1943
Disposals	9151	Kevin Bartlett	1965-1983
Kicks	8293	Kevin Bartlett	1965-1983
Handballs	2736	Dale Weightman	1978-1993
Marks	2270	Matthew Richardson	1993-2009
Tackles	728	Trent Cotchin	2008-current
Hit Outs	4304	Mark Lee	1977-1991
Source: . Last updated: 19 July 2017.

Single game records

Statistic	Record	Player	Opponent	Match
Goals	14	Doug Strang	North Melbourne	Round 2, 1931 at Punt Road Oval
Disposals	46	Robert Wiley	Carlton	Round 8, 1980 at MCG
Kicks	38	Kevin Bartlett	Geelong	Round 17, 1974 at Waverley Park
Handballs	28	Nathan Foley	Brisbane	Round 6, 2011 at MCG
Marks	23	Joel Bowden	Port Adelaide	Round 13, 2008 at Football Park
Tackles	14	Shane Tuck	Port Adelaide	Round 10, 2010 at Football Park
	14	Angus Graham	Port Adelaide	Round 10, 2010 at Football Park
Hit Outs	55	Mark Lee	Melbourne	Round 9, 1980 at MCG

Single season records

Statistic	Record	Player	Season
Goals	112	Michael Roach	1980
Disposals	684	Dustin Martin	2016
Kicks	634	Kevin Bartlett	1973
Handballs	320	Craig Lambert	1991
Marks	224	Mike Green	1969
Tackles	124	Shane Tuck	2012
Hit Outs	711	Mark Lee	1984

Individual awards

Reserves team

Richmond has had a reserves team participate in various competitions since the early 20th century. The reserves competition for the then-Victorian Football League (now trading as the Australian Football League) began in 1919 and the Richmond reserves recorded its first premiership in 1929. In the following 68 years, Richmond went on to win a further eight premierships in reserve-grade football.^[41] The Richmond reserves participated in the VFL/AFL reserves, then the Victorian State Football League up to the 1999 season, then in the new Victorian Football League competition in 2000.

In 2001, the Richmond reserves team was dissolved and the club entered a reserves affiliation with the Coburg Football Club in the VFL, using the latter as a feeder team. This arrangement lasted from 2001 until 2013.^[42]

Richmond ended the affiliation at the end of 2013, seeking to re-establish a more direct developmental structure by operating a stand-alone reserves team.^[43] The reformed Richmond (VFL) reserves team has played in the VFL since 2014, playing its home games at the Punt Road Oval, with many staged as curtain raisers to the club's senior home and away games at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground.^[44] The team is made up of a combination of senior listed AFL players, rookie listed players and VFL exclusive contracted players. The VFL exclusive player list can be found below

Richmond Football Club (reserves)
Playing list								Coaching staff
51 Sam Darley (c) 52 Anthony Scott 53 Hugh Beasley 54 Jacob Ballard 55 Ryan Bathie 57 Brandon Wood 58 Jake Aarts 59 Ash Morris 60 Tom Langford 61 James Fletcher 62 Jayden Cass 63 Jack Holden		64 Thomas Silvestro 67 Brenton Credlin 69 Shaun Mannagh 74 Tyson Kruse 75 Lachlan McKenzie 76 Alex Harnett 78 Daniel Coffield 79 Billy Coates 80 Antony Forato 81 Danko Bzenic 86 Zak McCubbin 88 Max O'Sullivan						Head coach Craig McRae Assistant coaches Tom Hunter (forwards) Xavier Clarke (midfield) Ryan Ferguson (backline) Ben Waite (midfield stoppage) Marc Sophoulis (development) Legend: (c) Captain (vc) Vice captain Updated: 15 March 2017 Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff

Past premierships

Reserves Premierships (9)[45]
Year	Competition	Opponent	Score	Venue
1929	VFL Reserves	Geelong	12.8 (80) - 7.15 (57)	MCG
1946	VFL Reserves	Fitzroy	7.15 (57) - 7.15 (56)	MCG
1954	VFL Reserves	Melbourne	10.20 (80) - 4.9 (33)	MCG
1955	VFL Reserves	Footscray	13.18 (96) - 9.12 (66)	MCG
1966	VFL Reserves	Collingwood	14.11 (95) - 13.12 (90)	MCG
1971	VFL Reserves	Essendon	14.14 (98) - 8.18 (66)	MCG
1973	VFL Reserves	Geelong	17.18 (120) - 8.12 (60)	MCG
1977	VFL Reserves	Footscray	19.18 (132) - 10.15 (75)	MCG
1997	AFL Reserves (VSFL)	Hawthorn	17.12 (114) - 10.10 (70)	MCG

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Richmond Football Club.

• List of Richmond Football Club seasons
• List of Richmond Football Club players
• List of Richmond Football Club coaches

References

Bibliography

• Blainey, G: A Game of Our Own: The Origins of Australian Football, Melbourne 1990
• Hansen, B: Tigerland, Richmond Past Players and Officials Assoc, Melbourne 1992
• Hogan, P: The Tigers Of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
• Richmond Football Club – Hall of Fame

External links

• Official website of the Richmond Football Club