LOU RICHARDS always attracted a crowd in life, and he has done it again in death, with hundreds of mourners flocking to Melbourne's rainy CBD to farewell the football legend.
The much-loved Collingwood and media figure has been honoured with a state funeral service at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday.
A who's who of football, media and government representatives have assembled to pay their respects, including AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, AFL Legend Ron Barassi and greats Kevin Sheedy and Neil Roberts.
The Collingwood contingent is led by president Eddie McGuire and includes coach Nathan Buckley, previous coach Mick Malthouse, past president Allan McAlister and greats Kevin Rose, Peter McKenna and Des Tuddenham, and also in attendance were luminaries such as Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, Victoria's Emergency Services Minister James Merlino and former Victorian Premier John Brumby.
The McGuire family outside St Paul's. Picture: Getty Images
Richards died peacefully on Monday May 8, aged 94, prompting an outpouring of both sadness and celebration for a unique man who lived an extraordinary life.
As expected, Richards' funeral service was more joyous than sombre.
Richards' daughter Nicole Morrison gave the gathering an insight into Richards the father: "He loved us, and he spoilt us, he supported us, and most of all, gave us the most wonderful life. There was fun and laughter and never a dull moment.
"He challenged you and nurtured you. He was firm but fair when we were young, and became our best friend once he knew we were ready to make good life choices."
Nathan Buckley and Collingwood CEO Gary Pert. Picture: Getty Images
McGuire said that when he reflected on Richards "and his amazing journey from the Depression-era backstreets of Collingwood to the premiership captain on the MCG, the King of Moomba, and the greatest star in the biggest game in town, the media", he was reminded of the last stanza of Rudyard Kipling's poem If, which reads:
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With 60 seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
"And what a man," McGuire declared. "What a family."
A feisty rover, Richards followed a long line of family members to represent his beloved Magpies, playing 250 games and kicking 423 goals from 1941-55, and captaining the club to the 1953 premiership.
But it was his ubiquitous presence in the media – on television, radio and in print – that lifted Richards to true superstardom.
Former North Melbourne administrator and friend Ron Joseph alluded to Richards' healthy ego when he said: "Lou was right. He said his funeral would be bigger than Texas."
On Richards not being an official Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame, Joseph summed up the feelings of many when he asserted: "Lou is a legend. In fact, he is bigger than a legend."
Former Channel Nine colleague and close friend Tony Jones said: "We as a city, a state and a nation, are all the better for knowing him."
After the service, Collingwood players and coaches formed a guard of honour outside the cathedral for the motorcade, which passed by the Lou Richards statue at the Holden Centre.
AFL/VFL greats Bobby Skilton and Michael Malthouse. Picture: Getty Images
Your memories of 'Louie the Lip'
A Magpie legend, TV trailblazer and great entertainer - there weren't many like Lou Richards
We asked for your favourite memories of Richards, from his 250-game playing career to his time as a Thursday night TV fixture on League Teams, and beyond.
Here are some of your best stories.
I witnessed Lou drinking out of Haydn Bunton's boot
Lou said that Swan Districts, coached by Haydn Bunton Jnr, couldn't win the 1961 WAFL Grand Final against massive favourites, Polly Farmer's East Perth.
He said he would drink milk from Bunton's boot if the Swans won. The Swans won their first flag and I was at Bassendean Oval on Sunday as an 11-year-old to celebrate and to witness Lou drinking out of Haydn Bunton's boot.
- Brent Watkins, Scarborough WA
The day Peter Landy chased him from the commentary box
As 12-year-olds, myself and mates at the Escort Cup matches at VFL Park used to delight in taunting Peter Landy about his ceramic-looking hairpiece.
Lou, overhearing, said: "Ha, it certainly hasn't moved and we're in an Arctic gale …".
Landy then spat the dummy, lurched up from the commentary box and gave chase.
- Adrian Thomas, Frankston Vic
He delivered a reverse stab drop kick onto my chest from 20m
I met Lou as a 13-year-old on entry to the VFL to watch North v South Melbourne in 1977. He took the time to entertain myself and a couple of mates plus deliver a reverse stab drop kick by the heel of his foot sharp onto my chest some 20 metres away.
I'm still amazed by this skillful act 40 years later.
And who can ever forget his entertaining hosting of the Colliwobbles burial at Victoria Park in November 1990?
What a lovable character!
- Steve Miller, Palmwoods Qld
What did they make of Louie the Lip in Saudi Arabia?
I remember the replay of the 1977 drawn Grand Final. As North were warming up there was an onscreen roll of the countries to which it was being beamed over satellite. For some reason, Saudi Arabia made an imprint.
When the camera came to the gigantic Mick Nolan, Lou said: "and have a look at big Mick Nolan, 'the Galloping Gasometer'. You need a roadmap and a waterbag just to walk around him".
The whole family just lost it, and I remember us wondering what they made of that comment in Saudi Arabia.
Vale, Louie the Lip.
- Steve Shanahan, Sydney NSW
Drinks in the World of Sports dressing room were unforgettable
Together with four other guys, I was one of the World of Sports 'Beat The Champ' quiz men in summers between 1964 and 1976.
After the show was over, all involved would adjourn to the dressing room where Gordon, Lou's barman from the Phoenix Hotel, was charged with ensuring nobody's beer glass was ever empty.
Talking with those sporting legends was unforgettable. Fantastic memories.
- Fred Ford, Blackburn Vic
A coiner of nicknames
[I loved] his nicknames for players. 'The Macedonian Marvel' for Peter Daicos. 'Lethal' Leigh Matthews. 'The Flying Doormat' for Bruce Doull, 'the Galloping Gasometer' for Mick Nolan, 'the Flying Dutchman' for Paul Van De Haar … and the list goes on.
I was too young to see him play, but he was a great commentator who brought fun and a light heartedness to the sport.
- Michael Langlois, Sunnybank Qld
Dusting Collins St on his hands and knees
I will always remember Lou as one of the greats in our game. He was the real kiss of death.
I remember he once said, if the Magpies lose this game I will dust Collins Street with a feather duster. And he did, on hands and knees.
What a man he was.
- Ted Drew, Coffs Harbour NSW
Rowing Billy Goggin across the Barwon
Besides World of Sport on Sundays, and League Teams, Lou was the voice of footy for me in the 1970s and '80s.
I can still remember him rowing Geelong coach Billy Goggin across the Barwon River.
Thank you Lou Richards, you are a legend.
- Darren Ward, Geelong Vic
There was nothing better than watching Lou and the gang every Sunday
[Loved the] Sunday Footy Show, especially Lou's handball segment. Can we bring this back?
There was nothing better than watching Lou and the gang on every Sunday, and in his memory we should all remember to be more like him.
- Gabriel Garivaldis, Caulfield North Vic
Piggybacking 'the Galloping Gasometer'
My favourite memory of Lou? Piggybacking Mick 'the Galloping Gasometer' Nolan on the steps of the North Melbourne Town Hall after a bet with Jack Dyer.
My first reaction on hearing of his passing? Like I felt when John Lennon died. A large chunk of my youth has now been taken away.
Rest in peace, Lou. Hate Collingwood but always admired you and what you stood for.
- Phil Rowan, Banyo Qld
• Obituary: 170cm Lou, a giant on and off the field
