Malcolm Greenslade played only two games for
Greenslade, a star key forward from South Australian club Sturt, was undergoing his National Service training at the time in
Under an Australian National Football Council ruling relating to National Servicemen, Greenslade was eligible to play for
Late on the Thursday night before the Round 3 clash between
At that stage in his football career, Greenslade had played 77 games with Sturt and booted 237 goals.
He stepped into a
But if Greenslade (given the No. 23 guernsey) was overawed at the prospect of pitting his skills alongside Tigerland’s finest, he certainly didn’t show it.
His first touch on debut for
So good was the grab, it features as one of the 100 Tiger Treasures, which form the basis of the Club’s VFL/AFL Centenary celebrations this year (refer the Marks of the Century category).
After an excellent first quarter, Greenslade faded out of the game when his quality opponent, John McIntosh, started knocking the ball away rather than trying to outmark the high-flying Croweater-turned-temporary Tiger.
Greenslade had ignited Richmond early on and paved the way for what turned out to be a comfortable win for them in a low-scoring contest – 10.8 (68) to 6.13 (49).
Leading football writer for ‘The Age’, Peter McFarline, had this to say about Greenslade’s first-up performance for the Tigers . . .
“Richmond began in 1969 premiership form, with its latest recruit Malcolm Greenslade dominating at centre half-forward over John McIntosh. “Over” is the operative word because Greenslade seemed to spend most of the first quarter and a half taking screaming marks over his opponents . . . his acrobatics inspired Richmond’s big men into putting on their best display of marking for a season.”
Match details
Round 3, 1971 at
St Kilda 0.3 2.8 4.10 6.13 (49)
Goals –
Best –
The following week,
Included in the Tiger side that day was another Sturt star, who was undergoing his National Service training in Victoria – Mick Nunan.
The pint-sized rover, who years later (briefly) coached Fitzroy, was a lively performer (wearing the No. 23 guernsey), kicking three goals and setting up several others with clever play in Richmond’s thumping win.
Greenslade, meanwhile, was on fire up forward for the Tigers, marking everything in sight and finishing with six goals in a dominant display that underlined his sheer class.
“The South Australian National Serviceman is a fine player. He is a strong mark and a deadly kick for goal. On today’s form, he could easily hold down the full-forward position for the Tigers – a trouble spot for them for several years,” wrote former
Unfortunately, it was to be Greenslade’s last game with
Malcolm Greenslade had covered himself in glory in just two games at the game’s highest level, and it makes you think what might have been had he remained a Tiger, under the great Tommy Hafey’s coaching guidance . . .
Match details
Round 4, 1971 at
Goals –
Best –
