Full Name: ERIC LEECH
Date of Birth: 21/05/1951
Height: 189 cm ( 6-2 1/2 )
Weight: 91 kg ( 14-4 )
Guernsey: 25/50
Debut: 06/06/1970, Round 10, Essendon
Last Game: 02/06/1979, Round 9, Collingwood
RICHMOND SENIORS
Seasons: 1970-79
Total Games: 79
Total Goals: 0
Honours:
RICHMOND RESERVES
Seasons: 1970-78
Total Games: 70
Total Goals: 18
Honours:
BIOGRAPHY
Eric played in the back-pocket and at full-back although he did play some of his early games at centre-half-back. He was a close-checking defender who was a strong mark, but often preferred to play it safe with a defensive punch away. Eric originally came to Richmond as a forward and once kicked 7 goals for the Reserves, against Hawthorn in 1977. He had a horror run with injuries which resulted in him missing many games, including Finals. Although a regular senior player, when fit, he only played in one senior Final, the 1971 first semi-final against Collingwood, during the club’s highly successful era of the early-1970’s. Throughout his football career, he became a doctor’s nightmare with all the bones he broke or dislocated and the muscles he tore or strained. In all, Eric played a total of 149 Senior or Reserve games out of a possible 237. Despite these setbacks he remained a very popular and loyal club man. He was a member of the Under/19’s 1969 Premiership side, as well as being elected captain for 1970. He never actually captained the side because his good form in the Reserves saw him quickly promoted to the senior team. In 1979, he was voted the VFL’s Most Courageous Player. Since retiring, he has served the club loyally, firstly as a specialist coach, then as a committee man. He also served as a Club Director between 1984 and 1994. He was awarded Life Membership in 1979. Eric, is an Engineer, and now lives in Werribee.
PRE RICHMOND
Tyntynder Juniors to 1969 ( Honours - Premiership Five ) ; Swan Hill Technical School ( Honours - Premiership One ).
POST RICHMOND
;){kind=link}