Historical information
Tiger Goal-Sneak snags third major
DICK HARRIS (548 goals, 5th highest Richmond FC of all time, 196 games) scores a trademark goal from the forward pocket, despite the attentions of JACK REGAN (future fullback on Collingwood Team of the Century).
A future Richmond FC Hall of Famer, Harris, described by teammate Jack “Captain Blood” Dyer as the “toughest little player I have ever seen”, is ably assisted by Tiger followers, baker DAVE BASSETT (46 games in 3 seasons until forced to retire with a back injury), and fireman BERT FOSTER (133 games,12 seasons, died on duty in 1941).
Accompanying our photograph is a series of five sequential images taken by The Globe High Speed Camera of the same on-field action from the same location. These images appeared four days later on the front page of the midweek Melbourne Sporting Globe (photographer unknown).
Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Ernie Ward.
Photographer notations on slide: "Richmond v Collingwood football B107"
Collingwood v Richmond at Victoria Park 9 May 1936
Attendance: 25,000-30,000 (capacity); Weather: fine with a light breeze from north to south
Collingwood had unfurled their 10th Premiership Flag before the game, and also officially opened their fancy new members only club rooms. After the game, the new rooms were to host a soirée on a polished dance floor larger than the one at Collingwood Town Hall (by invitation - members only).
Collingwood had beaten Richmond easily in the previous year’s Preliminary Final. Both teams had come off a good Round One victory. The Sporting Press – and, since betting on football was illegal, the SP Bookies – had Richmond as slight favourites. The scene was set for one of the “games of the season”. But, alas, it was not to be.
The Magpies ambushed the Tigers from the very first bounce. The Tigers won most of the aerial battles, but the ‘Pies’ small men dominated all over the ground. Collingwood had kicked eight goals straight by quarter-time. By half-time, they had 14 goals and only two behinds. In his 17th season, legendary full forward GORDON “NUTS” COVENTRY (1901-1968) had bagged seven majors by the long break, scoring an eight before the full-time bell. The contest was over by half-time.
The Tigers reportedly battled out the second half as the travelling Tiger Army and the Sporting Press had come to expect! But that’s easy to say when a six-goal flogging is also a 36-point drubbing – especially when it’s the hated Collingwood FC handing out the punishment.
After the game, Richmond FC were in for a “good hard look at themselves” (this is known as a “rebuild” in 2023), and missed out playing Finals for the first time since 1926. Collingwood were right on their usual track and would go on to win the 1936 Premiership. The normal order of things was restored! Collingwood 16.12.108 defeated Richmond 10.12.72. EPW
Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Ernie Ward.
Physical description
Glass plate negative
Inscriptions & markings
Photographer notations on slide: "Richmond v Collingwood football B107"
