1918 Chronology

Position: Sixth
Won 5, Lost 9, For 752, Against 857.
Captain: Clarrie Hall
Vice Captain: Sid Reeves, William Thomas
Coach: Bernard Nolan
Most Consistent Player: Barney Herbert
Leading Goal Kicker: Donald Don (19)
Revenue: 864pounds 16s. 0d. Credit Balance: 39pounds 2s. 6d.
Membership: 1,005

February
Saturday 16
The earliest surviving footage of the Richmond Football Club is from this day, the Richmond Carnival for the Blind Soldiers' Fund, held through the principle streets of Richmond. It shows a few second of a decorated motor-car containing Frank Tudor (President), D Henry (Vice President), A Bettles (player), William Maybury (Secretary). The footage is held at the NFSA.

March
Sunday 10
Beverley is represented at a meeting of the Metropolitan Amateur FA but it informs the Association that it will not compete this year.

April
Wed. 3
Richmond Juniors, a newly formed first rate junior club, enters the Victorian Junior FA. It will wear the senior club’s uniform and play at Punt-road.

Sat. 13
“John Junior,” football columnist for The Richmond Guardian, refers to the Richmond Cricket Ground as “the Punt-road oval.”
It had been referenced in a Punch article four years earlier on June 4 1914

Sat. 27
The Richmond Guardian reveals that plans are being made to stage a game between the “Old Players of Richmond (“Pioneers”) and the Vaucluse Club” at the RCG on King’s Birthday. It is intended to be played in aid of patriotic funds under old time rules, with a kick off from the centre and little marks. Billy Brown is mentioned as a possible Richmond captain.

A combined Victorian Junior Football team play Richmond at Punt Road at 2.30pm
Representatives for the VJFA team include Richmond junior players R. Lawrence, Brown, Aslett.

May
Sat. 11
Umpire H. J. Nugent, a recipient of the Military Cross, is cheered by Richmond and Essendon players prior to the opening game of the season.
George Bayliss does not play after learning of his brother Willie’s death in action in France. Richmond wears black arm bands.

Preston 19.14 defeat Richmond Juniors 3.6

Sat. 18
Richmond 7-16 (58) defeats Carlton 8-5 (53) for the first time since joining the League and after 24 losses. Richmond has now defeated every team in League football.

Sat. 25
A Richmond Juniors player, Davey, is accused of striking. using insulting remarks and disputing decisions towards the umpire during the game against Collingwood Juniors. He is stood down until he appears before the investigation committee. Collingwood 13.17 defeat Richmond 3.12 at Collingwood Football Ground.
Podmore, and Cole were best for Richmond. Haysom (Collingwood) charged for striking Touski (Richmond). Charge is later dropped.

June
Mon. 3
On King’s Birthday a game is played between Myer’s Store and Michaelis Hallenstein’s on the Punt-road ground. It is in aid of Lady Mayoress’ Patriotic League.

Mon. 17
Although smoking is prohibited in the grandstand “I. J.” writes to the The Richmond Guardian complaining of smokers in the stand.

Tues 18
Vic Thorp, tea dealer, leaves his horse ('Black Bess') and carriage carrying 4 pound worth of tea, coffee and cocoa in Chapel St Prahran. William L Maxwell steals the horse and carriage and begins selling of Vic's stock at a cheaper rate to passerbys. He ends up colliding with a furniture van. He is sentenced to 3 months in prison, and fined 2 pound for illegal using a horse and vehicle, and 1 pound for driving on wrong side of the road. In his defence he claimed he was suffering from neuritis after returning from the war.

Sat. 15
Richmond lose to St. Kilda. The loss will foster rumours that at least two Richmond players had been bribed not to do their best.

Sat. 22
Sid Reeves plays his 100th VFL game for Richmond.

Preston defeat Richmond Juniors in the V.J.F.A. Richmond Juniors are still yet to win a match.

Tue. 25
A Richmond player, hurt by aspersions cast over him by his non selection for the South Melbourne game in the wake of bribery rumours, confronts the committee and declares his innocence. The committee unanimously passes a vote of confidence in him.

Sat. 29
The “Water Polo” match. Richmond 5-15 (45) defeats Essendon 3-4 (22) in atrocious conditions at East Melbourne.
Because so many players showed “equal skill in fishing the ball out of the various waterholes” the best player prize was drawn out of a hat. Pat Dooley was the lucky recipient.
The gate was about twenty pounds, the smallest since Richmond entered the League.
Gallipoli veteran Ted “Anzac” Fisher plays for Richmond despite residing outside Richmond’s district. It is doubtful if he is eligible to play for the club but the VFL will not dispute it.

July
Wed. 3
Richmond players and committeemen meet in the pavilion to discuss the club’s position on the list and the possibility of making the top four.
Richmond donates ten guineas to the French Red Cross and five guineas towards the city’s welcome to returned soldiers.

Sat. 13
George Bayliss is absent from the selected team with influenza. Roy Taylor is rushed into the team, despite not training for some time, because unselected regulars are not present.

Footscray Juniors vs Richmond Juniors at Footscray Football Ground.
Richmond were reported for starting late in this match.
Richmond forfeit the match after half time after Footscray 2.5 lead Richmond 1.0

Wed. 17
Ted “Anzac” Fisher is formally registered as a Richmond player.

Sat. 20
Players, officials and leading members of Richmond and Collingwood are entertained at dinner in the pavilion by Richmond’s committee following their game.

Port Melb def Richmond Juniors.

August
Fri. 2
The Herald announces that Richmond Juniors have “dropped out” of the Victorian Junior FA.

Wed. 7
The Tigers’ Social Club, under the secretaryship of Jim Cook, hosts a dance in the Richmond Football Club’s training room. Many footballers and young ladies attend.
At season’s end statistics showed that Richmond crossed the goal line exactly the same number of times as their opponents. Richmond scored 96 goals and 176 behinds and their opponents 117 goals and 155 behinds. The sum of goals and behinds in both instances amount to 272 times over the goal line.

Sat. 10
Round 14
Richmond 7.12.54 lost to Sth Melbourne 7.17.59

Williamstown defeated Richmond Juniors in a walk over.

Thursday 22
During an attack West of the French town of Bray under heavy enemy machine gun fire, Hughie James reached his objective and captured 30 prisoners. This act of gallantry and devotion would afford him a bar to existing Military Cross.
The Third Division commander reported that "it was only (James') courage, cheerful disposition and total disregard of danger" that ensured the operation's success.
He proved "an inspiration to all ranks" and was "worthy of every recognition, especially as this is the first time that he or his men had been in a direct attack on any position".

Sat. 24
Richmond Juniors end the season with 15 losses, 0 wins.

November
Social: The Tigers’ Social Club hold “entertainments” this month.
___. 11 Armistice is declared. The Great War ends.