Rick was selected in the Ariah Park-Mirrool seconds for the first match of the season but got a late call-up to the seniors. He lined up in the forward pocket and managed only one goal for the game. But it was not a sign of things to come, as he kicked130 goals for the season from full-forward.
The next year, Rick went down to South Melbourne to play but injured his knee in the first match of the season. He missed the rest of the 1970 season, including South Melbourne’s first finals appearance since 1945. He overcame this setback to go on and have an illustrious playing and coaching career with the Swans. He only stepped down from the Board of the club earlier this year, after serving the club for almost 30 years.
Swans fans will get a chance to hear more about Rick’s experiences in the presentation for the 150th year of Australian Football, when the Committee of NSW AFL History present their annual Ralph Robertson Memorial Lecture at CLUB SWANS on Friday 15 August at 7.00 pm.
This year’s lecture will be presented by leading sport and social commentator, John Harms (The Age/ABC TV’s Offsiders). The topic is “The Debate Over the Origins of Footy”. The presentation will also feature a panel, in addition to Rick Quade, made-up of Swans club Chairman Richard Colless and actor Rhys Muldoon.
The annual Ralph Robertson Memorial Lecture is presented by the Committee of NSW AFL History with the support of the AFL (NSW/ACT) Commission and the Sydney Swans Football Club. The lecture is named after NSW AFL Hall of Fame member and World War I hero Ralph Robertson, who was tragically killed during his military service.
The lecture is open to all interested persons. CLUB SWANS is located at 28 Darlinghurst Rd, King’s Cross. Click here to find out more about the event and RSVP.
