Richmond Football Club
Names
Full nameRichmond Football Club Limited[1]
Nickname(s)Tigers, Tiges, "Fighting Fury"
2023 season
Home-and-away season13th
Leading goalkickerJack Riewoldt (32 goals)
Jack Dyer MedalTim Taranto
Club details
Founded1885 (1885)
Colours  Black   Yellow
CompetitionAFL: Senior men
AFLW: Senior women
VFL: Reserves men
VWFL: Wheelchair (mixed)
PresidentJohn O’Rourke
CEOBrendon Gale
CoachAFL: Adem Yze
AFLW: Ryan Ferguson
VFL: Steve Morris
Captain(s)AFL: Toby Nankervis
AFLW: Katie Brennan
VFL: Lachlan Street
PremiershipsVFL/AFL (13) VFA (2) McClelland Trophy (8) Championship of Australia (3)Reserves/VFL (10) Thirds/Under-19s (11) VWFL (2)VWFL Reserves/Development (1)
Ground(s)AFL: Melbourne Cricket Ground (100,024)
AFLW/VFL: Punt Road Oval (2,800)
Training ground(s)Punt Road Oval
Uniforms
Home
Away
Clash
Other information
Official websiterichmondfc.com.au

The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is a professional Australian rules football team competing in the Australian Football League (AFL). Founded in 1885 in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond, the club competed in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1885 to 1907, winning two premierships. Richmond then joined the Victorian Football League (now known as the AFL) from the 1908 season and has since won 13 premierships, most recently in 2020.

From 1885 to 1964, Richmond's home ground was the Punt Road Oval, (formerly named Richmond Cricket Ground), which is still utilised as their headquarters, training facility and hosting AFLW and Reserves matches. From the 1965 season to present, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been the club's official home ground.

Richmond traditionally wears a black guernsey with a yellow sash. The club song, "We're From Tigerland", is well known for its "yellow and black" refrain.[2][3]

The club is coached by former Melbourne assistant coach Adem Yze, and is captained by Toby Nankervis. Five Richmond players have been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame as "Legends" of the sport: Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer, Royce Hart, Kevin Sheedy and Ian Stewart

History

Origins and VFA years (1885–1907)

The Richmond Football Club was formed at a meeting at the Royal Hotel in Richmond in 1885

A short-lived football club named Richmond formed in 1860 with Tom Wills, one of the founders of Australian rules football, serving as its inaugural secretary and captain.[4][5] Wills' cousin H. C. A. Harrison captained Richmond briefly in the early 1860s before moving to Geelong.[6] This club was disbanded in 1871[7] and has no continuity to the present club. A number of teams formed in Richmond during the game's rapid expansion in the 1870s and early 1880s.[8] However, all played at a junior level and it was considered an anomaly that Richmond, one of Melbourne's most prominent suburbs, did not boast a senior side. The wait ended when the Richmond Football Club was officially formed at the Royal Hotel in Richmond on 20 February 1885.[9] 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.[10]

At first the team wore blue guernseys and caps with yellow and black stripes in the style of the Richmond Cricket Club. The football club soon adopted yellow and black as its official colours. From the 1890s the supporters and players were often referred to as "Richmondites"[11] and, according to The Age in 1890,[12] The Leader in 1899 [13] and former club secretary William Maybury[14] the team were occasionally called "Wasps." The moniker by which they are now known, the "Tigers", was first adopted around 1908-10 period through the newspapers Punch[15] and The Richmond Guardian.[16]

During the late 1880s, Richmond struggled to make an impression in the VFA, and after a promising season in 1888 (when they finished fifth with eleven wins), the club slipped backwards, in the process losing players to more successful sides. As the local economy slipped into severe depression in the early 1890s and the crowds began to dwindle, some of the VFA's strongest clubs began to agitate for a reform of the competition. Richmond was not considered part of this elite group, which usually voted as a bloc at VFA meetings.

In 1896, Richmond walked off the field in a match against South Melbourne to protest the umpiring, and later in the season, the Tigers had their half-time 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 cut of the gate takings amounted to just five pounds, and they finished the season with the wooden spoon.

Alec Edmond captained Richmond from 1901 to his retirement in 1907

In October 1896, the cabal of six strong clubs broke with the association to form the Victorian Football League (VFL). As a struggling club with a poor following, Richmond was not invited to join the new league. Richmond's performances did not immediately improve in the depleted VFA until the turn of the century.

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, but 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 and, in particular, the dubious tactics of arch-rival North Melbourne. In the 10 September 1904 match, during which a significant number of Richmond players sustained serious gashes, and despite the earnest requests of the Richmond players, field umpire Allen refused to exercise his legitimate, official power to check the boots of the North Melbourne players for "spikes" on the soles of their boots.[17] 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.[18][19][20]

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 since the 1896 split. Richmond cultivated links with some VFL clubs by playing practice matches against them. Richmond knew that they were a major asset to the VFA, had built up a large following and played on one of the best grounds in the competition, where they remained unbeaten for five years. 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, then 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 to the VFL on October 18, 1907.[21]

Entry into the VFL (1908–1944)

The Hon. Frank Tudor, federal leader of the ALP, was president of Richmond during World War I

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 won its first wooden spoon while also playing in the finals for the first time – 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.

Richmond team that won its first VFL premiership in 1920

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.

Richmond legend Jack Dyer played 19 consecutive seasons for the club, scoring 443 goals

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.

In 1962 Graeme Richmond was appointed Secretary of the club, Richmond was the under 19's coach who had been around the club since the early 1950s as a junior player until knee injury stopped him from playing so he took on coaching. Graeme understood that for Richmond to improve so would the recruiting. A shrewd businessman, Richmond was able to sign young recruits for bargain like fees. Royce Hart was given a suit and six shirts, and Kevin Bartlett simply walked in off the street. Graeme kept a close eye on the success former player Tom Hafey was having with Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley Football League. When coach Len Smith had a heart attack in 1965, the club appointed Jack Titus to serve as interim coach until a replacement could be found. Hafey was encouraged to apply, and the decision came down to Hafey and former club captain Ron Branton. Many expected Branton to get the job. However, Graeme Richmond saw something special in Hafey and he was appointed coach for the 1966 season.

Success through Hafey Era (1966–1982)

Statue of Kevin Bartlett outside the MCG

1966 heralded the start of the Tom Hafey era. Hafey, a former player of the club, was appointed coach and brought with him a couple of quality young footballers from northern Victoria. Out of the Goulburn Valley came Dick Clay from Kyabram and Francis Bourke from Nathalia. Further afield were Doug Strang and John Perry from Albury and Wodonga.

On his return to Richmond, Hafey found the team had acquired a number of young, high quality players, Kevin Bartlett was a skinny 17 year old who lived locally and had walked in and asked for a tryout. Mike Green followed Kevin a year later. Even so, he quickly put his stamp on the club, bringing intensity and desire to reach the top. Although he acknowledged the ideas and tactical approach of Len Smith (who remained at the club as a selector and consultant), Hafey opted for what became his trademark style: kick the ball long and quickly into the forward line. He raised the bar for fitness among his players,[4] extending pre-season training and introducing a third training night during the week. Richmond quickly became known for being the fittest team in the competition.

Richmond began 1966 strongly. A month before the finals, they hit the top of the ladder for the first time since 1951 and seemed certain to play in September. However, two losses dropped the Tigers to fifth place with thirteen wins and a draw. Richmond dismissed a number of players, replacing them with new players such as Royce Hart, Kevin Sheedy and Francis Bourke.

Richmond dominated the 1967 season, running out winners in a classic Grand Final against Geelong. In his first two years, the team lost only seven games and Hafey had gone from an unknown coach in the bush to the toast of the football world. In hindsight, the 1967 premiership marked a turning point for the game. The Tigers were fitter than any team that had gone before and were the highest scoring team since 1950. Australian football, after two decades of defensive-based play, was about to enter an era of high scoring, aided by rule changes, new tactics and better standards of fitness. They won the 1967 flag in a thrilling encounter with Geelong, ending a 24-year premiership drought.

The Tigers started the 1968 season slowly. They rallied to win the last six games, but missed the finals. When the Tigers were again lethargic in mid-1969, accusations of under-achievement arose and rumours that Hafey was on the way out circulated. The players rallied behind Hafey and finished the season strong, taking fourth place. The team won all three finals, beat the much fancied Carlton in the 1969 VFL Grand Final by 25 points.

After missing the playoffs in 1970, Hafey took the Tigers to the finals for the next five years. Basing the team's strategy around all-out attack had drawbacks. 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.

By now, the aggressive attitude of the club both on and off the field had created resentment toward the club. A number of incidents during the 1973 Grand Final – the Windy Hill brawl, the attempted recruitment of John Pitura from South Melbourne and a poor reaction to Kevin Bartlett's failure to win the Brownlow medal – all focussed negative attention on the club. Hafey, however, used the resentment to his advantage, telling his players "it's Richmond against the world".

Richmond showed signs of ageing in 1975, when they lost in the preliminary final. Triple Brownlow medallist, Ian Stewart retired, Paul Sproule returned to Hobart, Brian Roberts and two others were part of the John Pitura trade. A raft of other player departures made for a poor 1976 season, Hart spent most of the year nursing a knee and Dick Clay opted to retire. The Tigers finishing seventh, Hafey's worst ever result. Internally the Richmond board bickering had flared into the public domain. It took a majority vote for Hafey to be reappointed for 1977, but not unanimously (he had no contract with Richmond, instead being appointed on a year-to-year basis). When it leaked that Graeme Richmond, the club's powerbroker, had voted against Hafey's reappointment Hafey immediately resigned.

The club appointed dual premiership player Barry Richardson as coach for two seasons before he was replaced by Tony Jewell. Richmond won its next premiership under Jewell 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)

Debuting for Richmond in 1993, Matthew Richardson went on to become one of the league's leading goal kickers.

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 four 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.

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)

Under newly appointed head coach, Terry Wallace, the 2005 pre-season brought renewed optimism at the club. The Tigers held the no. 1 draft pick, selecting Brett Deledio who was 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.

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.

Richmond began the 2008 season with a surprise win over Carlton, but from Rounds 2 to 11, registered only two more wins (and a controversial draw against the Western Bulldogs). The club fought back in the latter half of the season, winning eight of its last 11 matches. However, this was not enough to reach the finals, as Richmond finished two premiership points short (and percentage) of 8th placed Collingwood.

Wallace era ends (2009)

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 Medal winner Ben Cousins – who had previously been released by the West Coast Eagles due to drug trouble – 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, 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)

Damien Hardwick has coached Richmond since 2010.

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 only three players (Ben Cousins, Chris Newman and Troy Simmonds) 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.[22]

Richmond continued to show improvement to finish 12th out of 17 teams in 2011 with eight wins and a draw.

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.[23] 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.[24]

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. Gold Coast also beat them, while trailing 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.[25] 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, due to a countback 4 years later after disqualified winner Jobe Watson was stripped of his medal due to the Essendon Football Club supplements saga.

Return to finals (2013–2016)

Captain Trent Cotchin leads Richmond out onto the ground before a match against Greater Western Sydney late in the 2013 season.

2013 saw Richmond claim a victory over Hawthorn (making it one of only two clubs that season to defeat the eventual premiers) and go on to qualify for its first finals series in over a decade.[26][27] However, before 94,690 fans—the largest week-one crowd since the VFL/AFL adopted its current finals system—Richmond lost to Carlton in the first elimination final.[28] Also that year, Peggy O'Neal, an American-born lawyer, became the AFL's first female club president when she got the position at Richmond.[29]

After its drought-breaking finals appearance the previous year, Richmond failed to live up to expectations in the first half of the 2014 season, losing 10 of its first 13 matches and dropping to 16th place on the ladder. Despite public sentiment that the season was lost, the club rallied behind a five-goal performance by Cotchin to win against St Kilda.[30] It catalysed a nine-match winning streak, with a Round 23 victory against eventual grand-finalists Sydney raising Richmond to 8th on the ladder and putting the club into its first back-to-back finals appearance since 1975. A 57-point loss to Port Adelaide in an elimination final knocked Richmond out in the first week of the finals.[31] Cotchin won the Jack Dyer Medal for the third time in four years, making him the youngest Richmond player to win three club best and fairest awards.[32]

Richmond faced the prospect of another disappointing season in 2015, losing 4 of its first 6 games. In the following weeks, however, the club registered 4 straight wins, including an upset victory over the previously undefeated Fremantle in Perth,[33] and went on to defeat top-four teams Sydney and reigning premiers Hawthorn. Richmond would go on to win the final four games of the home and away season to finish fifth on the ladder. Facing North Melbourne in an elimination final, Richmond lost by 17 points in front of a crowd of 90,186, making it the club's third consecutive first weeks finals loss.[34]

In 2016, Richmond failed to qualify for the finals for the first time in four years. Following a comprehensive Round 3 loss to Adelaide, coach Hardwick said the team would have to "take a little half-step back to go two steps forward."[35] It would go on to be the story of the season with several major defeats including one against Greater Western Sydney in which Richmond registered its lowest score since 1961.[36] The club debuted six players and brought in two recruits for their first games in the yellow and black.

Premiership success (2017–2020)

During the preseason period for 2016/17, Richmond made a number of changes to its playing list and coaching staff. Among these changes was the departure of Brett Deledio to Greater Western Sydney, in a three-way deal involving Geelong that saw the Tigers receive a 2017 first-round draft selection from the Cats, as well as a 2017 third-round selection from the Giants. Richmond also attained the services of Gold Coast Suns midfielder Dion Prestia, Geelong player Josh Caddy, and young Sydney Swans ruckman Toby Nankervis in preparation for the 2017 season.

2017 AFL Grand Final G B Total
Richmond 16 12 108
Adelaide 8 12 60
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground Crowd: 100,021

37 years and the Tigers are kings of the jungle again – it is Tiger Time, Bruce. There is no doubt about it at all... The Tigers are going to win the Premiership (siren sounds) in 2017! The Tigers have got home for the first time in 37 years!

Brian Taylor's TV call of the Grand Final final siren on Seven Network[37]

Richmond began 2017 with 5 straight wins, a feat it had not achieved since 1995. A series of close losses hampered the Tigers throughout the middle of the season, including a 5-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, 2-point loss to Fremantle, and a 3-point loss to the Giants. Richmond ended the season strongly with convincing victories over Fremantle and St Kilda in the final two rounds, elevating the club to 3rd on the ladder. Richmond's first final of the season – their qualifying final against the Cats at the MCG – attracted a record qualifying final crowd of 95,028; the Tigers won by 51 points. This sent them to their first preliminary final since 2001, in which Richmond defeated Greater Western Sydney by 36 points in front of a crowd of 94,258 to progress to the Grand Final against Adelaide, their first Grand Final appearance since 1982. The attendance was 100,021, the largest crowd for a Grand Final since 1986. The Crows led at quarter time and were in front by as much as 13, but the Tigers took over the game as it progressed and kicked seven straight goals at one point with former South Australian U-19 captain Jack Graham finishing as the game's leading goalscorer after kicking three despite playing only his fifth game at AFL level. They eventually would win by 48 points – 16.12 (108) to Adelaide's 8.12 (60) – to end their 37-year flag drought.[38] Dustin Martin also became the first player to win a Premiership medal, the Brownlow Medal and the Norm Smith Medal in the same season, while Damien Hardwick was named AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Richmond's jump from 13th to premiers also marked the biggest jump from one AFL season to the next.

Richmond Football Club Win % by Season (including Finals)Gold * denotes Premiership Red * denotes Wooden Spoon

The reigning premiers were dominant throughout the 2018 season, winning their first minor premiership since 1982 with an 18–4 win–loss record. Richmond won all 17 of their games in Victoria during the home-and-away season,[39] and broke the record for most consecutive wins at the MCG, winning 22 games at the venue[40] (starting from round 14, 2017) and eclipsing the record of 17 set by Melbourne in 195556.[41][42]

The Tigers defeated Hawthorn by 31 points in the first qualifying final at the MCG[40] and were seemingly destined to win a second consecutive flag. However, they were stunningly denied a repeat Grand Final appearance after Collingwood defeated them by 39 points in the first preliminary final.[43][44]

Jack Riewoldt had an outstanding year for Richmond, winning his third Coleman Medal after kicking 65 goals during the regular season,[45] his second Jack Dyer Medal[46][47] and receiving his third All-Australian selection.[48] Three other Tigers received All-Australian honours: Alex Rance (fullback), Dustin Martin (centre) and Shane Edwards (interchange),[48] and four more were shortlisted in the initial 40-man squad: captain Trent Cotchin, Josh Caddy, Dylan Grimes and Kane Lambert.[49] Exciting young forward/midfielder Jack Higgins capped off a stellar debut season by winning Goal of the Year for his highly memorable scissor-kick goal against Collingwood in Round 19.[50]

At the conclusion of the season, Richmond acquired former Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch via free agency on October 8.[51][52] Five players departed the club during the free agency and trade periods: Reece Conca left to Fremantle as a free agent on October 5,[53] Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis were traded to Gold Coast along with a third round draft pick on October 8 in exchange for another third round pick,[54] Tyson Stengle was traded to Adelaide in exchange for its fourth round pick on October 15,[55] and Sam Lloyd was sent to the Western Bulldogs for pick 64 on October 15.[56] In addition, Ben Griffiths retired in January to pursue a college football career in the United States[57] and Shaun Hampson retired on June 26, citing a chronic back condition.[58]

Richmond were looking to rebound in 2019 after the bitter disappointment of their unexpected preliminary final exit. They suffered various setbacks during the first half of the season, with several of their best players sidelined, most notably Alex Rance who suffered a career-ending ACL injury in Round 1 against Carlton. The Tigers were resilient in spite of their misfortune, winning six games in a seven-game stretch from round four to round 10. Despite a midseason slump where three losses on the trot dislodged them from the top eight, the Tigers re-emerged from the mid-year bye a different team and would not lose again for the rest of the season. They won their last nine games of the home-and-away season and finished third on the ladder with a 16–6 win–loss record, trailing minor premiers Geelong and second-placed Brisbane on percentage.

2019 AFL Grand Final G B Total
Richmond 17 12 114
Greater Western Sydney 3 7 25
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground Crowd: 100,014

They would defeat both teams en route to their second grand final in three years, dispatching the Lions by 47 points in the second qualifying final at the Gabba (marking their first interstate finals victory) before coming from 21 points down at half time to beat the Cats by 19 points in the second preliminary final at the MCG. They met Greater Western Sydney in the 2019 AFL Grand Final on September 28, thrashing the Giants by 89 points – their biggest ever win in a grand final, eclipsing their 81-point victory over Collingwood in 1980. Martin won his second Norm Smith Medal, becoming just the fourth to win multiple Norm Smith Medals after Gary Ayres, Andrew McLeod and Luke Hodge. Cotchin equaled Dan Minogue, Percy Bentley and Royce Hart with his second Premiership as Richmond captain while Hardwick became the Tigers' first multiple Premiership coach since Tom Hafey – whose widow Maureen presented the two of them with the Premiership cup. Richmond also chose to debut Marlion Pickett, who they had drafted midseason following Grigg's retirement and who had won the Norm Goss Medal in the VFL Grand Final against Williamstown the previous week. Pickett not only became the first player to make his senior debut in an AFL or VFL Grand Final since Keith Batchelor for Collingwood in 1952, but he also kicked his first AFL goal in the third quarter and finished with four Norm Smith Medal votes.

2020 AFL Grand Final G B Total
Richmond 12 9 81
Geelong 7 8 50
Venue: The Gabba Crowd: 29,707

Despite some off-field indiscretions during the 2020 season and playing most of the season interstate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reigning premiers finished in the top four for the fourth consecutive season, qualifying in third place with 12 wins, four losses and a draw after a shortened 17-match home-and-away season. Richmond faltered against the Brisbane Lions in the qualifying final, but recovered to play in their third Grand Final in four years after defeating St Kilda by 31 points in the semi-final and pipping minor premiers Port Adelaide by six points in the preliminary final. The Tigers would meet Geelong at the Gabba in the first VFL/AFL Grand Final to be played outside Victoria, and despite trailing the Cats by 22 points deep in the second term, Richmond scored 10 of the final 12 goals of the match to run out 31-point winners. It marked their third premiership in four years and also made them the first team since Hawthorn completed their three-peat in 2015 to win consecutive premierships. Martin, who kicked four goals, became the first-ever three-time Norm Smith Medalist, while Cotchin became the club's first-ever three-time Premiership captain.

End of a dynasty (2021–present)

The Tigers’ four-year era of success would come to a halt in 2021. Despite a decent start to the year, winning seven of their first 12 matches, the reigning premiers would fall away rapidly to win just two of their last 10. With a season record of nine wins, 12 losses and a draw, Richmond finished 12th and missed the finals for the first time since 2016. The Tigers became the fourth team in five years to miss the finals after playing in the previous year's grand final, following 2016 premiers the Western Bulldogs, 2017 runners-up Adelaide and 2019 runners-up Greater Western Sydney.

At the conclusion of the season, triple-premiership captain Trent Cotchin relinquished his role as skipper,[59] and Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis were appointed as co-captains for the 2022 season.[60]

Richmond were looking to rebound quickly from their poor 2021 season. Despite some inconsistent form throughout the 2022 season, which included dispiriting losses to also-rans Gold Coast and North Melbourne, and a low-scoring draw against Fremantle, the Tigers were able to secure an eighth finals berth in 10 seasons, finishing seventh on the ladder with 13 wins, eight losses and one draw. However, their finals campaign came to an early end after a heart-breaking two-point loss to Brisbane in a high scoring elimination final. Three time premiership player and 300 gamer Shane Edwards announced his retirement at the conclusion of the season.

The 2023 season truly was the end of the Dynasty Era at Tigerland. Three time premiership coach Damien Hardwick announced he would be resigning from his position after a 1-point defeat to Essendon in Round 10. This shocked the football world as Hardwick sited 'burnout' as his reasoning for departing the club prior to his contract ending. Later in the year he would sign a 6-year deal as coach of the Gold Coast Suns, confusing many of the Richmond faithful.

Andrew McQualter took the reigns as interim coach for the remainder of the season with mixed success. The club would eventually finish 13th and miss the finals with 10 wins, 12 losses and a draw. Late in the season, club legends Trent Cotchin & Jack Riewoldt announced they would be retiring after the clubs Round 23 fixture against North Melbourne at the MCG. Over 60,000 supporters turned out to farewell the retiring champions as the Tigers won the match by 29 points.

The season finished with Richmond suffering a loss at Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide, with many of the clubs young players being showcased - showing promising signs for the seasons ahead. The club announced on the 21st of September that Adem Yze would be taking over as the clubs new Senior Coach, beating Andrew McQualter to win the position.

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 its 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, Graeme 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' grand final appearance in 1982, the club appeared in five finals series (1995, 2001, 2013, 2014 and 2015) before winning another preliminary final and eventually breaking their Premiership drought as board and coaching instability during the 1980s and 1990s distracted the club and forced its focus away from becoming an on-field force.

The club also hosts the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) at Punt Road, which has delivered highly-unique and innovative leadership and well-being programming for young Indigenous boys and girls since 2008. In 2018, Richmond became the first sports club to present at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.[61]

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,[62] before it went into receivership in November 2016. Puma manufactures the club's on-and-off field apparel.[63] With the change to Puma, the yellow used is reasonably lighter than the sash seen in the past few years.

Uniform evolution

Richmond's uniform changes throughout their history.

1885–86
1887–1900
1900–06
1907
1908–09
1910–13
1914–18
1919–23
1924–28
1929–77
1978–2000
2001–03
2004–2016
2017–present

Song

Prior to 1962, the Richmond Football Club did not have an official club song. Instead, on away trips players would sing from a large collection of well-known ditties like 'With a Hat on One Side',[64] and 'Barefoot Days.'.[65] A record, not endorsed or officially adopted by the club, was released in the 1950s by The Thinmen and The Party Allstars called "Onward the Tigers",[66] set to the tune of the traditional Australian bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda"[67] In 1962, Jack Malcomson, a cabaret singer, tapdancer, and bit actor,[68] who was performing regularly at the Richmond Football Club Pleasant Sunday Morning events, was approached by committeeman Alf Barnett to write an official club song and adapted "Row, Row, Row" (Monaco/Jerome), a show tune from the Ziegfeld Follies of 1912, to create We're From Tigerland. The current version of the song used by the club is a 1972 recording performed by the Fable Singers.[69] In 2014, the Herald Sun named it the top club song of any AFL team.[70] Tigerland is noted for the line "Yellow and black", which fans of the club shout when the song is performed at games.[71]

Oh, we're from Tigerland
A fighting fury, we're from Tigerland
In any weather, you will see us with a grin
Risking head and shin
If we're behind, then never mind
We'll fight and fight and win
For we're from Tigerland
We never weaken 'till the final siren's gone
Like the tiger of old
We're strong and we're bold
For we're from Tiger
Yellow and black
We're from Tigerland [72]

Stadium

The MCG, Richmond's home ground since 1965
The David Mandie building at Punt Road Oval is home to Richmond's training facilities and administrative headquarters.

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 100,024 and the club usually draws large attendances against Victorian clubs, particularly rivals such as Essendon, Collingwood, Carlton and Hawthorn.

The club also plays home games against local and interstate clubs with smaller supporter bases in Melbourne 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 Swinburne Centre, located a few hundred metres from the MCG.

Administration and corporate

Club administration since 1908[73]

Richmond Football Club administration since 1977
YearPresidentChief Executive OfficerTreasurer
2023 John O'Rourke Brendon Gale Tina De Young
2018–2022 Peggy O'Neal Brendon Gale Tina De Young
2013–2018Peggy O'NealBrendon GaleRobert Dalton
2010–2012Gary MarchBrendon GaleRobert Dalton
YearPresidentGeneral ManagerTreasurer
2006–2009Gary MarchSteve WrightGarry Cameron
2005Clinton Casey Gary MarchSteve WrightGarry Cameron
2004Clinton CaseyIan Campbell
Steve Wright
Garry Cameron
2003Clinton CaseyIan CampbellGarry Cameron
2001–2002Clinton CaseyMark BrayshawGarry Cameron
2000Clinton CaseyMark BrayshawTerry Grigg
1999Leon DaphneJim MaloneTerry Grigg
1995–1998Leon DaphneJim MaloneKeith Miller
1994Leon DaphneCameron Schwab Mal Brown, Jim MaloneKeith Miller
1993Neville Crowe
Leon Daphne
Cameron SchwabKeith Miller
1991–1992Neville CroweCameron SchwabKeith Miller
1989–1990Neville CroweCameron SchwabMichael Humphris
1988Neville CoweRichard Doggett Cameron SchwabMichael Humphris
1987Alan Bond
Neville Crowe
Richard DoggettMichael Humphris
1986Bill DurhamKevin Dixon
Richard Doggett
John McCormack
Michael Humphris
1985Ian Wilson
Barry Richardson
Kevin DixonJohn McCormack
1981–1984Ian WilsonKevin DixonRon Carson
1980Ian WilsonRichard DoggettRichard Doggett
1979Ian WilsonGareth Andrews
Richard Doggett
Gareth Andrews
Richard Doggett
1978Ian WilsonGareth AndrewsGareth Andrews
Richmond Football Club administration until 1977
YearPresidentSecretaryTreasurer
1977Ian WilsonMax Scales,Gareth Andrews Max Scales,

Gareth Andrews

1974–1976Ian WilsonAlan SchwabAlan Schwab
1973Al BoardAlan SchwabAlan Schwab
1972Al BoardAlan SchwabPat Kennelly
Alan Schwab
1971Ray Dunn
Al Board
Alan SchwabPat Kennelly
1970Ray DunnAlan SchwabRon Carson
1969Ray DunnAlan SchwabGraeme Richmond
1968Ray DunnGraeme Richmond
Alan Schwab
Ron Carson
Graeme Richmond
1966–1967Ray DunnGraeme RichmondRon Carson
1965Ray DunnGraeme RichmondGraeme Richmond
1964Ray DunnGraeme RichmondI Cameron
1963Maurie FlemingGraeme RichmondBill Tymms
1962Maurie FlemingBill Tymms
Graeme Richmond
Bill Tymms
1960–1961Maurie FlemingBill TymmsBill Tymms
1959Maurie FlemingBill TymmsBill Quinn
1958Harry Dyke
Maurie Fleming
Bill TymmsBill Quinn
1956–1957Harry DykeBill TymmsBill Quinn
1955Harry DykeHector Lingwood-Smith
Bill Tymms
Bill Quinn
1953–1954Harry DykeMaurie FlemingBill Quinn
1952Harry DykeMaurie Fleming
Hector Lingwood-Smith
Bill Quinn
1950–1951Harry DykeMaurie FlemingBill Quinn
1949Harry DykeMaurie FlemingJack Smith
Bill Quinn
1947–1948Harry DykeMaurie FlemingJack Smith
1940–1946Harry DykeMaurie FlemingCharlie Turner
1939Barney HerbertMaurie SheahanCharlie Turner
1938Lou RobertsJohn SmithCharlie Turner
1937Lou RobertsJohn SmithGeorge Smith
1936Lou RobertsJohn SmithJos Langdon
1932–1935Barney HerbertJohn SmithJos Langdon
1925–1931Jack ArcherPercy PageJos Langdon
1924Jack ArcherPercy PageAbe Aarons
1921–1923Alf WoodBill MayburyAbe Aarons
1919–1920Alf WoodBill MayburyJack Archer
1917–1918Frank TudorBill MayburyJack Archer
1913–1916Frank TudorBill LohseJack Archer
1912Frank TudorGeorge BeachcroftJames MacDermott
1909–1911Frank TudorAndrew ManzieArchie McNair
1908George BennettAndrew ManzieArchie McNair

Supporter base

Richmond has a large supporter base which is known for its dedication, including its personal cheer squad who attend both home and away matches for the club. The club broke its membership record, along with the all-time AFL membership record, when 100,196 signed up in 2020. It also has the most members of any Australian sporting team.

The building of the fan base was a slow process for Richmond. In the 1890s, the club never sold more than 300 season 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.[74] 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.[75]

RFC commemorative football 2013

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.[76][77] 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.[78]

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.[79] The 2014 membership total of 66,122[80] 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. The Richmond Football club created AFL/VFL history in 2018 by becoming the first club ever to reach 100,000 members, and in 2023 achieved its 6th consecutive year over that milestone.[81]

Membership

Attendance for Richmond Football Club games
Season Ticketed Members Ladder Position Finals Premiers Average Home Attendance Average Away Attendance Average Finals Attendance Average Season Attendance Total Season Attendance
2023 101,349 Increase1350,64647,58149,1801,131,144
2022 100,535 Decrease7Yes46,48539,46535,01342,975980,456
2021 105,084 Increase1230,116***37,243***33,705***606,081***
2020 100,420 Decrease3YesYes3,850**8,125**22,470**10,108**161,735**
2019 103,358 Increase3YesYes59,98741,68277,30554,011*1,350,275*
2018 100,726 Increase1Yes61,17547,45293,20357,554*1,381,298*
2017 72,669 Increase3YesYes55,95837,20196,43652,562*1,314,058*
2016 72,278 Increase1341,15540,68440,920900,237
2015 70,809 Increase5Yes49,87745,97490,18649,841*1,146,335*
2014 66,122 Increase8Yes43,19633,14749,88638,712*890,377*
2013 60,321 Increase5Yes50,90143,67194,69049,477*1,137,980*
2012 53,027 Increase1241,31937,90939,614871,504
2011 40,184 Increase1242,78438,60640,695895,290
2010 35,960 Decrease1537,45238,43437,943834,744
2009 36,985 Increase1543,16535,82239,493868,855
2008 30,820 Increase943,54841,45242,500935,002
2007 30,044 Increase1638,25544,40041,327909,203
2006 29,406 Increase942,92934,84938,889855,556
2005 28,029 Increase1235,80037,18936,495802,885
2004 27,133 Increase1635,37832,98434,181751,982
2003 25,101 Decrease1335,63039,90137,766830,841
2002 27,251 Increase1432,79637,75935,278776,113
2001 26,501 Decrease4Yes46,12942,53266,20346,955*1,173,875*
2000 26,869 Decrease944,01233,61738,814853,916
1999 29,047 Increase1240,53339,93640,235885,159
1998 27,092 Increase944,30748,76846,5371,023,821
1997 24,975 Increase1334,51536,71335,614783,517
1996 20,308 Increase938,62438,73738,680850,966
1995 14,647 Increase3Yes41,95237,84475,16844,184*1,104,607*
1994 8,229 Decrease933,96824,78729,377646,301
1993 9,918 Increase1424,85323,55224,202484,041
1992 8,1581320,88822,25521,572474,575

Club records in bold text.

* Includes three finals in 1995, 2001, 2017, 2019; two finals in 2018 and one final in 2013, 2014, 2015.
** 2020 crowds were significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
*** Crowds during the second half of the 2021 season were also significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic excluding matches in Perth.

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.[82]

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[83]
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

Coach: Tom Hafey

Coached 248 games — Won 173, lost 73, Drawn 2

Australian Football Hall of Fame members

As legends of the game:

As players of the game:

As coaches of the game:

Richmond Hall of Fame

The Richmond 'Hall of Fame' was created in 2002, with 24 inaugural inductees. Since then there have been a further twelves batches of inductees added, most recently in 2023, for a total of 69 members. Below is a list of members, their contributions to the club, and the year they were inducted.[84][85][86] To date, nine Richmond "Immortals" have been named, the highest level of honour within the Hall of Fame. The first of these was Jack Dyer, who was immediately made an 'immortal' upon his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2002, the year before his death.[87][88]

The Immortals are highlighted in yellow in the table below and have their names in bold.

Richmond Hall of Fame inductees
Name Category Career (at Richmond) Year Inducted Year 'Immortal'
Jack Baggott Player 1927–35 2019
Neil Balme Player 1970–79 (player), 2017–current (administration) 2010
Bill Barrot Player 1961–70 2007
Kevin Bartlett Player 1965–83 (player), 1988–91 (coach) 2002 2004
Percy Bentley Player 1925–40 (player), 1934–40 (coach) 2002
Martin Bolger Player 1930–39 (player), 1940–75 (admin) 2005
Francis Bourke Player 1967–81 (player), 1982–83 (coach), 1992–94 (admin) 2002 2005
Joel Bowden Player 1996–09 2022
Ron Branton Player 1953–62 2006
Wayne Campbell Player 1991–2005 2013
Dick Clay Player 1966–76 (player), 1985 (admin) 2002 2023
David Cloke Player 1974–82, 1990–91 2007
Roger Dean Player 1957–73 (player) 2002 2019
Donald Don Player 1917–28 2015
Jack Dyer Player 1931–49 (player), 1941–52 (coach), 1949–53, 1956–63 (admin) 2002 2002
Alec Edmond Player 1899–1907 2007
Tony Free Player 1987–96 2019
Alan Geddes Player 1925–35 2007
Michael Green Player 1966–75 2004
Paddy Guinane Player 1958–68 2023
Clarrie Hall Player 1912–22, 1924 (player), 1924–29, 1932–35 (admin) 2006
Richard 'Dick' Harris Player 1934–44 (player), 1964 (coach) 2004
Royce Hart Player 1967–77 (player), 1977 (admin) 2002 2008
Frank Hughes Player 1914–23 (player), 1927–32 (coach) 2004
Hugh James Player 1909–16, 1919–23 2005
Jim Jess Player 1976–88 2008
Stan Judkins Player 1928–36 2022
Mervyn Keane Player 1972–84 2005
Matthew Knights Player 1988–2002 2011
Mark Lee Player 1977–91 2010
Ray Martin Player 1930–40 2010
Basil McCormack Player 1925–36 (player), 1955–71 (admin) 2004
Leo Merrett Player 1940–49 2022
Bill Morris Player 1942–51 2002
Joe Murdoch Player 1927–36 2011
Chris Newman Player 2002–15 2022
John Northey Player 1963–70 (player), 1993–95 (coach) 2011
Tom O'Halloran Player 1925–34 2013
Kevin O'Neill Player 1930–41 2008
Max Oppy Player 1942–54 (player), 1956 (coach) 2004
Geoff Raines Player 1976–82 2008
Matthew Richardson Player 1993–2009 2015
Michael Roach Player 1977–89 2002
Des Rowe Player 1946–57 (player), 1961–63 (coach) 2004
Havel Rowe Player 1948–57 2015
Barry Rowlings Player 1979–86 2015
Kevin Sheedy Player 1967–79 2002
Jimmy Smith Player 1917–26 2023
Ian Stewart Player 1971–75 2013
Vic Thorp Player 1910–25 (player), 1927–35 (admin) 2002 2015
Jack Titus Player 1926–43 (player), 1965 (coach) 1944–77 (admin) 2002 2019
Wayne Walsh Player 1968, 1972–78 2013
Dale Weightman Player 1978–93 2002
Bryan Wood Player 1972–82 2006
Roy Wright Player 1946–59 2002
Tom Hafey Servant 1953–58 (player), 1966–76 (coach) 2002 2003
Dan Minogue Servant 1920–25 (player), 1920–25 (coach) 2002
Charlie Backhouse Servant 1891–1905 (player), 1894, 1900, 1902 (admin) 2002
Charlie Callander Servant 1924–86 (property steward/admin) 2002
James Charles Servant 1885–88, 1896 (founder/admin) 2002
Allan Cooke Servant 1949–58 (player), 1967–84 (admin) 2006
Neville Crowe Servant 1957–67 (player), 1987–93 (admin/president) 2002
Ray Dunn Servant 1940–71 (admin/president) 2002
Barney Herbert Servant 1909–12, 1914–21 (player), 1932–35, 1939 (admin/president) 2004
Tony Jewell Servant 1964–70 (player), 1979–81, 1986–87 (coach), 1994–2003 (admin) 2002
Barry Richardson Servant 1965–74 (player), 1977–78 (coach), 1985 (president) 2004
Graeme Richmond Servant 1962–86 (admin) 2002
Alice Wills Servant 1950–81 (?) (supporter groups/admin) 2002
Ian Wilson Servant 1969–85 (admin) 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.[89] 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 rivals Carlton later that day.

100 Tiger Treasures awardees
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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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!"

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."

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."

Captains

Coaches

Records

Club records and achievements

Premierships
Competition Team Wins Years Won
Australian Football LeagueSeniors131920, 1921, 1932, 1934, 1943, 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1980, 2017, 2019, 2020
Reserves (1919–1999)91929, 1946, 1954, 1955, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1997
Under 19s (1946–1991)111958, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1989
Victorian Football LeagueSeniors (1885–1907)21902, 1905
Reserves (2014–present)12019
Other titles and honours
McClelland TrophySeniors81967, 1972, 1973, 1974 1975, 1977, 1982, 2018
Championship of AustraliaSeniors31969, 1973, 1974
VFL Night SeriesSeniors11962
Lightning PremiershipSeniors11953
Finishing positions
Australian Football LeagueMinor premiership91920, 1933, 1934, 1943, 1944, 1967, 1974, 1982, 2018
Grand Finalist111919, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1972, 1982
Wooden spoons71916, 1917, 1960, 1987, 1989, 2004, 2007

Win–loss records

Win–loss records[90]
Win–loss recordPlayed: 2,301Won: 1,179    Lost: 1,099    Drawn: 23   
Highest score222 (34.18)vs. St Kilda, Round 16, 1980 at SCG
Lowest score8 (0.8)vs. St Kilda, Round 16, 1961 at Junction Oval
Greatest winning margin168 pointsvs. North Melbourne, Round 2, 1931 at Punt Road Oval
Greatest losing margin157 pointsvs. Geelong, Round 6, 2007 at Telstra Dome
Biggest match attendance119,165vs. Carlton, Grand Final, 1969 at MCG
Biggest home & away match attendance92,436vs. 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 3 Jack Riewoldt 2010, 2012, 2018
Most All-Australian selections 5Alex Rance2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Most Brownlow Medal votes 191Dustin Martin2010–current
Most club Best & Fairest awards 5 Jack Dyer1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946
Kevin Bartlett1967, 1968, 1973, 1974, 1977
Most seasons as club leading goal-kicker 13Matthew Richardson1994, 1996–1999, 2001–2008
Games played 403Kevin Bartlett1965–1983
Games played as captain 188Trent Cotchin2013–current
Games as coach 274Damien Hardwick2010–current
Goals 970Jack Titus1926–1943
Disposals 9151Kevin Bartlett1965–1983
Kicks 8293Kevin Bartlett1965–1983
Handballs 2736Dale Weightman1978–1993
Marks 2270Matthew Richardson1993–2009
Tackles 1033Trent Cotchin2008–current
Hit Outs 4304Mark Lee1977–1991
Clearances 1295Trent Cotchin2008–current
Inside 50s 1246Dustin Martin2010–current
Rebound 50s 1006Joel Bowden1996–2009
One percenters 1557Alex Rance2009–2019
Last updated 8 September 2021[91]

Single-game records

Single-game records[92]
Statistic Record Player Opponent Match
Goals 14Doug StrangNorth MelbourneRound 2, 1931 at Punt Road Oval
Disposals 46Robert WileyCarltonRound 8, 1980 at MCG
Kicks 38Kevin BartlettGeelongRound 17, 1974 at Waverley Park
Handballs 28Nathan FoleyBrisbaneRound 6, 2011 at MCG
Marks 23Joel BowdenPort AdelaideRound 13, 2008 at Football Park
Tackles 14 Jack GrahamCarltonRound 21, 2019 at MCG
Shane TuckPort AdelaideRound 10, 2010 at Football Park
Angus GrahamPort AdelaideRound 10, 2010 at Football Park
Hit Outs 56Toby NankervisMelbourneRound 5, 2017 at MCG
Clearances 15Wayne CampbellFremantleRound 19, 2000 at WACA Ground
Inside 50s 14Kane JohnsonWestern BulldogsRound 17, 2003 at Docklands Stadium
Rebound 50s 16Joel BowdenAdelaideRound 8, 2006 at Docklands Stadium
One percenters 19Alex RanceGeelongRound 21, 2016 at MCG

Single-season records

Single-season records[92]
Statistic Record Player Season
Goals 112Michael Roach1980
Disposals 744Dustin Martin2017
Kicks 634Kevin Bartlett1973
Handballs 320Craig Lambert1991
Marks 224Mike Green1969
Tackles 139Trent Cotchin2017
Hit Outs 711Mark Lee1984
Clearances 160Dustin Martin2017
Inside 50s 159Nick Daffy1998
Rebound 50s 190Joel Bowden2006
One percenters 242Alex Rance2017

Individual awards

Brownlow (VFL/AFL Best & Fairest)

Coleman (VFL/AFL leading goalkicker)

Norm Smith (Grand Final Best & Fairest)
First Awarded 1979

AFL Rising Star
First Awarded 1993

Mark of the Year

Goal of the Year

All-Australian selection
First Awarded 1953

AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year

AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year

AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player

International Rules Series representatives
Commenced 1998

22 Under 22 team selection

Club Best & Fairest

See Jack Dyer Medal

Club leading goalkicker

See Michael Roach Medal

Current squad

Senior list Rookie list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • (B) Category B rookie
  • Long-term injury
  • (ret.) Retired

Updated: 19 December 2023
Source(s): Senior list, Rookie list, Coaching staff

Reserves team

Richmond Football Club
Names
Full nameRichmond Football Club Limited
Former name(s)Richmond Juniors (until 1924)
Richmond Second Eighteen
Nickname(s)Tigers, Tiges
Former nickname(s)Cubs
Club details
Founded1902, re-established in 2014 (as a reserves side)
CompetitionVictorian Football League
CoachSteve Morris
Captain(s)Lachlan Street
PremiershipsVFL/AFL reserves (10) VFL (1)
Ground(s)Punt Road Oval (2,800)
Uniforms
Home

The Richmonds reserves are the reserves team of the club. The latest iteration of the side was created in 2013, and has competed in the Victorian Football League (VFL) since 2014.

History

Richmond City and West Richmond amalgamated on 2 April 1902 to become Richmond Junior League Football Club, with the Richmond Football Club offering the new club free use of its ground and facilities.[93] The side, which operated independently from the senior club until 1959, first competed in the Victorian Junior Football Association before joining the Victorian Junior Football League in 1919.[94]

The Richmond juniors recorded its first premiership in 1929. In the following 68 years, Richmond went on to win a further eight premierships in reserve-grade football.[95]

The Richmond reserves joined the Victorian Football League competition after the AFL reserves was disbanded, finishing 17th at the end of their first season in 2000.

In 2001, the reserves side was dissolved and the club entered a reserves affiliation with the Coburg Football Club. This arrangement lasted from 2001 until 2013.[96]

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.[97] The reformed Richmond 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.[98] The team is made up of a combination of senior listed AFL players, rookie listed players and VFL exclusive contracted players.

Premierships

Year Competition Opponent Score Venue
1929 VFL reservesGeelong12.8 (80) – 7.15 (57)MCG
1946 VFL reservesFitzroy7.15 (57) – 7.14 (56)MCG
1954 VFL reservesMelbourne10.20 (80) – 4.9 (33)MCG
1955 VFL reservesFootscray13.18 (96) – 9.12 (66)MCG
1966 VFL reservesCollingwood14.11 (95) – 13.12 (90)MCG
1971 VFL reservesEssendon14.14 (98) – 8.18 (66)MCG
1973 VFL reservesGeelong17.18 (120) – 8.12 (60)MCG
1977 VFL reservesFootscray19.18 (132) – 10.15 (75)MCG
1997 AFL reservesHawthorn17.12 (114) – 10.10 (70)MCG
2019 VFLWilliamstown8.10 (58) – 7.13 (55)Ikon Park

Best and fairest award

Best and Fairest Award recipients[99]
Year Player Award name Notes
2014 Ross YoungGuinane MedalVFL-only
2015 Matt DeaGuinane MedalAFL listed
2016 Adam MarconGuinane MedalAFL listed
2017 Anthony MilesGuinane MedalAFL listed
2018 Anthony MilesGuinane MedalAFL listed
2019 Daniel CoffieldGuinane MedalVFL-only
2020
2021 Will MartynGuinane MedalAFL listed
2022 Jake AartsGuinane MedalAFL listed

Women's teams

The Richmond Football Club fields a team in the premier national league for women, the AFL Women's competition. The club entered the league in 2020. For two seasons in 2018 and 2019, the club also fielded a team in the state-league level VFL Women's competition.

The program, including development pathways, is presently overseen by the women's football operations manager, Kate Sheahan.[100]

History

Richmond has a thin history with women's football, with the club connected to just two women's matches in the 20th century. The first occurred in 1923, with a team dubbed the "Tigresses" playing off against the club's junior men's team (Cubs) as a fundraiser for a VFL team's interstate trip. As was the case with women versus men charity matches in that era, the men's team competed in the match in full fancy dress attire and were hobbled at the knees.[101] In what was a non-serious affair the women's side (9.14 (68)) defeated the Cubs side (0.1 (1)).[102][103] In August 1933, however, an all women's match was held between teams representing the suburbs of Richmond and Carlton in a charity match. While the Carlton team was associated with the club itself, Richmond did not pair with the side that played under its moniker. The match, played at Carlton's home ground, Princes Park, drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 and raised funds as part of a VFL bye-week carnival for the Royal Melbourne Hospital.[104]

AFL Women's team

In 2016, Richmond was among 13 AFL clubs to bid for licenses to compete in the soon to be formed AFL Women's competition. The club was one of five to miss out, instead being awarded provisional licenses guaranteeing access in later expansions.[105] The following year they would again bid, this time winning the right to entry into the competition's fourth season, to be held in 2020.[106] The club's first player signing came in the April 2019 expansion signing period, securing former Western Bulldogs captain Katie Brennan, who would go on to captain the club in its first season in the league.[107]

Current squad

Senior list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)


Season summaries

Richmond AFLW honour roll
SeasonLadderW–L–DFinalsCoachCaptain(s)Best and fairestLeading goalkicker
2020 14th ^ 0–6–0 DNQ Tom Hunter Katie Brennan Monique Conti Courtney Wakefield (4)
2021 10th 3–6–0 DNQ Ryan Ferguson Katie Brennan Monique Conti Katie Brennan (14)
2022 (S6) 11th 3–7–0 DNQ Ryan Ferguson Katie Brennan Monique Conti Katie Brennan (14)
2022 (S7) 4th 7–2–1 Sem-finalists Ryan Ferguson Katie Brennan Monique Conti Courtney Wakefield (14)
2023 10th 5–5–0 DNQ Ryan Ferguson Katie Brennan Monique Conti Katie Brennan (14)

^ Denotes the ladder was split into two conferences. Figure refers to the club's overall finishing in the home-and-away season.

VFL Women's team

In October 2017, Richmond was granted a license to field a team in the 2018 VFL Women's season.[108] They were one of 13 clubs in the competition that season, including all 10 Victorian-based AFL clubs. The league operated in the winter season (separately to the AFLW competition). Former men's VFL assistant coach Tom Hunter was named the team's head coach in November 2017 and served in the role over the 2018 and 2019 seasons.[109] Jess Kennedy was named the team's inaugural captain in May 2018.[110] After two seasons in the competition and following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the club withdrew from the competition and entered into an alignment with the Port Melbourne Football Club.[111]

Season summaries

Richmond VFLW honour roll[112][113]
Season Final position Coach Captain Best and fairest Leading goal kicker
2018 12th Tom Hunter Jessica Kennedy Jessica Kennedy Kate Dixon (9)
2019 4th Tom Hunter Jessica Kennedy Monique Conti Tayla Stahl (19)

Wheelchair football

Richmond has had a team compete in the Victorian Wheelchair Football League since its inception in 2018.[114] The team were runners up in 2018 before winning the league premiership in 2019.[115] After a two-year hiatus due to the suspension of the 2020 & 2021 seasons as a result of the COVID pandemic, Richmond won their second league premiership[116] as well as the development league premiership[117] in 2022.

Wheelchair Premierships (2)
Year Competition Opponent Score Venue
2019 Victorian Wheelchair Football LeagueCollingwood9.7 (61) – 7.5 (47)Boroondara Sports Complex
2022 Victorian Wheelchair Football LeagueEssendon17.8 (110) – 12.8 (80)Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
Wheelchair Development League Premierships (1)
Year Competition Opponent Score Venue
2022 VWFL Development LeagueEssendon12.4 (76) – 9.4 (58)Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

See also

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Bibliography
  • Bartlett, R: Richmond FC: A Century of League Football, Melbourne 2019
  • 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
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