The Melbourne Football Club holds a special place in Tigerland history . . .
Melbourne was Richmond's first-ever VFL opponent, and the Tigers won that match in 1908 by 11 points.
Ninety six years later, the teams will meet again this Friday night -- not at Punt Road, but just a stab pass over the paddock, at the MCG.
The history of the two clubs' meetings has included some memorable, and not so memorable
moments . . .
• In 1908, Richmond's Herbert Hill became the first Tiger player ever reported by the umpires, when he was booked for striking Melbourne's Walter Sykes -- a former Richmond teammate of his in the VFA.
• Round 1, 1909, Tigers' Hall of Fame inductee, Barney Herbert, debuted for the Club.
• In the return game of 1909, Richmond recorded only three behinds against Melbourne -- still the lowest ever behinds tally in a clash with the Demons.
• Round 8, 1914 saw Dave Smith, the son of Richmond's first-ever VFA captain, George Smith, debut.
• Round 17, 1925, and dual premiership player, Dan Minogue, coached Richmond for the last time.
• In 1932, the Richmond Football Club played its inaugural match at the now defunct Motordome.
• In 1934, Tiger goalkicking machine, Jack Titus, tore Melbourne apart, kicking 8 goals, 3 behinds in a brilliant display.
• One year later, 'Skinny' Titus repeated the dose against Melbourne, kicking, would you believe, 8 goals, 3 behinds!
• The 1940 Grand Final saw Richmond go down to Melbourne by 39 points, but Jack Titus became the first ever Tiger player to kick 100 goals in a season during the game.
• Round 2, 1941 and Richmond registered its highest ever score against Melbourne -- 30.16 (196). Dick Harris booted 7 goals.
• Round 12, 1943 was the first time in 204 games that Jack Titus did not take the field in a Richmond match. His league record of consecutive games stood for decades.
• Late in the 1963 season, Melbourne champion, Ron Barassi, was reported for striking Richmond's Roger Dean, and subsequently suspended for the finals series, despite film evidence.
• And, in Round 20, 1980, star Richmond full-forward, Michael Roach, kicked his 100th goal for the season against Melbourne -- exactly 40 years after Jack Titus became the first Tiger player to do so, also against Melbourne.
In terms of Richmond milestones, Round 2 holds a special place in all Tiger supporters' hearts. It was in Round 2 of the 1931 season, against North Melbourne, that the great Jack Dyer debuted for the Club. On the same day, Doug Strang, in his second senior game, kicked a Club record 14 goals, which still stands today.
Rhett Bartlett
