Dick Clay
| Dick Clay | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Richard Harold Clay | ||
| Date of birth | 6 March 1945 | ||
| Place of birth | Ferntree Gully, Victoria | ||
| Original team(s) | Kyabram (GVFL) | ||
| Debut | Round 2, 1966, Richmond vs. Footscray, at MCG | ||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 89 kg (196 lb) | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1966–1976 | Richmond | 213 (80) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1976. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Richard Harold Clay (born 6 March 1945) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
Renowned for his versatility, aerial strength and prodigious field kicking, Clay played a key role during one of the most successful eras in Richmond's history, playing in four VFL premierships under Tom Hafey. He was recognized for his achievements with induction into the club's Hall of Fame in 2002 and being named in the Tigers' Team of the Century.
Clay began playing football for Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League (GVFL), from where he gained his nickname the 'Kyabram Kid'.[1] Initially a forward flanker, he developed into a key player after growing 15 centimetres in six months.
In 1964, Clay became the first GVFL player to kick over 100 goals in a season, eventually finishing with 116 and also winning the League's best-and-fairest award, the Morrison Medal.[2] Clay's performances inevitably attracted attention from a number of VFL clubs, and initially he had signed a Form Four agreement with North Melbourne after former player Les Mogg saw him in action in a practice match for Kyabram at Cobram.[citation needed] But Richmond and Footscray had also shown interest in obtaining Clay's services.
Clay made his VFL debut with Richmond in Round 2 of the 1966 VFL season in a win against Footscray at the MCG, lining up at centre half-forward on the great Ted Whitten. A versatile player, Clay was soon switched to the wing where he formed a revered centreline with Francis Bourke and Bill Barrot. As well as playing State of Origin for Victoria, he played in four Premiership sides – as part of the famous centreline in 1967 and 1969, and at full-back in the back-to-back victories of 1973 and 1974.
After leaving Richmond midway through 1976, Clay headed to the Victorian Football Association (VFA) where he captain-coached Prahran in 1977 before returning to Richmond where he served as Director and a member of the Match Committee in 1985.
Today he has retired, and lives on the south coast of Victoria.
References
- ^ "Dick Clay honored as a Homecoming Hero". Richmond Football Club. 22 July 2015.
- ^ Greenberg, Tony (1 April 2016). "Golden anniversary of a golden Tiger's debut". Richmond Football Club.
Bibliography
- 1971 Tiger Year Book – Richmond Football Club
- Hogan, P: The Tigers Of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
- Piesse, K: The Complete Guide to Australian Football, Pan Macmillan Publishers, Sydney 1993
External links
- Dick Clay at AustralianFootball.com
- Dick Clay's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Profile at Tigerland Archive
Template:1967/69 Richmond dual premiership players Template:1973/74 Richmond dual premiership players