Full Name: DICK CLAY
Date of Birth: 06/03/1945
Height: 185 cm ( 6-1 )
Weight: 89 kg ( 14-0 )
Guernsey: 8
Debut: 30/04/1966, Round 2, Footscray
Last Game: 15/05/1976, Round 7, Carlton
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1966-76
Total Games: 213
Total Goals: 79
Honours: Premiership 1967, 1969, 1973-74, Victorian Representative Team Games 2 Goals 2.
Richmond Life Member 1973
Richmond Hall of Fame member 2002
Richmond Team of Twentieth Century 1998
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons: 1966, 1971
Total Games: 2
Total Goals: 0
Honours:
BIOGRAPHY
Richard “Dick” Clay, started his football career as a rover; however, after a growth spurt during his mid-teens he moved to centre-half-forward. He played his early football with Kyabram where he won the Goulburn Valley Leagues Competition Best and Fairest and Goalkicking award in his first year of senior football. Kyabram Football Club has named their change rooms in honour of his service to that club. Richmond had to beat North Melbourne, Footscray and several other clubs to gain Dick’s services. He actually played a practice match with North Melbourne in 1965; however, as soon as North’s hold expired Richmond moved in and signed him. North Melbourne then appealed and the matter was heard and determined by the VFL who ruled in Richmond’s favour. Shortly after this, he arrived at Richmond in a Holden supplied by long-time club supporter, Ron Carson.
At Richmond he played as a full-back, wingman and centre-half-forward with great success. He had a baptism of fire in his VFL debut for Richmond against Footscray in Round 2 of 1966. He lined up on “Mr Football” Ted Whitten and performed well. It was an interesting tussle considering that Whitten had tried very hard to recruit him to Footscray. He later stated that he learnt more that afternoon than in his entire debut year. He was pacy, agile and always prepared to back his own judgement. He was a magnificent long torpedo punt kick and it was quite common for his kicks to reach the centre square when he kicked off from full-back. Dick was also a very adaptable player and a strong mark. He often filled in at centre-half-forward when Royce Hart was injured. Dick’s highest individual goal tally was 5 which he kicked in 1970 against Carlton in Round 3 and Essendon in Round 21. Whilst playing on the wing he formed part of the famous Premiership centreline along with Francis Bourke and Bill Barrot.
Dick won the Best First Year Player award in 1966, Best Player in the Finals in 1975, and he was awarded Life Membership in 1973. He played in 20 Finals games for the club and was a member of the 1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974 Premiership sides and the 1972 Grand Final side. He was voted Richmond’s best player in the replay of the 1972 drawn semi-final against Carlton and the 1975 preliminary final against North Melbourne. He finished in the clubs’ best three on five occasions during finals games. He ran second in the 1968 Best and Fairest award and third in 1969 and also represented Victoria twice. In 1985 he served on the Richmond Match Committee and Board of Directors. A former licensee he now lives in Ashburton and in 1993 he coached local team St. Mary’s to a Premiership in his first season as coach. In 1995 he coached Ashwood.
PRE RICHMOND
Kyabram U/17 1961 ( Honours - Premiership 1961, Best & Fairest, 1961 ) ; Kyabram Seconds 1961-63 ( Premiership 1963 ) ; Kyabram Seniors 1964-65, Games 97 including 1980, Goals 211 including 1980 ( Honours - Competition Best & Fairest " Morrison Medal " 1964, Competition Leading Goalkicker 1964 Goals 116, Competition Equal Leading Goalkicker 1965 Goals 61 ).
POST RICHMOND
Prahran 1976-77, Games 26, Goals 18 ( Honours - Captain/Coach 1977 ) ; St Mary's Senior Coach 1993-94 ( Honours - Premiership 1993 ) ; Ashwood Coach 1995.
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