Historical information

If ya don’t mind, umpire??

The ball and the umpire are nowhere in sight as Richmond FC’s greatest goal scorer (and champion ballroom dancer), the always chatty publican, JACK “SKINNY” TITUS (970 goals, 294 games), reaches into his bottomless bag of sneaky tricks, and appears to be infringing Collingwood FC fullback, JACK “SNOZZLE” REGAN!

It was a bad day at the office for the Tigers, and for the talkative “Skinny”. He scored six of the Tigers’ 10 goals, but Regan was mentioned in every post-game wrap-up as one of the outstanding players afield. “Snozzle” went on to win the Magpies’ 1936 Best and Fairest trophy by the narrowest of margins, no doubt helped by the votes he received in this game. I’m tipping this is one thing you wouldn’t have heard Skinny yapping about!

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"