It was a war that should never have happened. A war that saw one club bankrupt and the other on the brink of extinction.
Collingwood and Richmond have never got along. The cross-town rivals have shared a history that dates back to the Tigers claiming their first premiership, in 1920.
The Pies sought their revenge by trouncing the Tigers in three successive grand finals, between 1927 to 1929.
Tensions were so fierce that Richmond immortal Jack Dyer said he could not watch black and white television because of his hatred for the Magpies.
But for all of their history, nothing would prepare the clubs for the bitter trade wars of the early 1980s.
Richmond and Collingwood began the decade by squaring off in the 1980 grand final. In front of 113,461 fans, the Tigers defeated the Magpies by 81 points to win their 10th VFL premiership.
With a side full of youth, the victors were expected to dominate the decade and become one of the most successful teams in history. However, the Tigers failed to make the finals in 1981 and sacked coach Tony Jewell.
Former player Francis Bourke was appointed coach in 1982 and guided his charges to the grand final, but in wet conditions they were no match for Carlton, who ran away with an 18-point victory.
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While Richmond was mourning the defeat, Collingwood were in the midst of an evolution.
For the first time in six years, the Magpies failed to make the finals. The board were criticised for being conservative and the lack of improvement saw rebel groups challenge for power of the club.
One of these rebel groups was the ‘New Magpies’, led by media identity and businessman Ranald Macdonald, who promised to embark on one of the biggest recruiting campaigns ever seen if elected.
An election was called and they gained power. Collingwood historian Michael Roberts recalls the New Magpies’ early promises:
“They went out to spend big money and buy a premiership. It was a charged environment under that regime and that meant they were spending big money and that meant clubs who were poached by Collingwood got a bit more pissed off.”
Richmond was one of the clubs annoyed by the recruiting strategy.
In the wake of the grand final defeat, club legends David Cloke and Geoff Raines asked for pay increases. According to former player Dale Weigtman, in his book Saving our skins and other tiger tales, the duo’s request came after discovering 20-year-old forward Brian Taylor was on a larger salary.
Livid by the perceived lack of respect shown towards the club, Richmond secretary Graeme Richmond did not accept the request.
“Graeme Richmond had this attitude that you don’t tell us what you are worth, we tell you,” Richmond historian Bill Meaklim said.
News of the player unrest reached the Pies and the pair were offered the money they were seeking.
Losing the well-loved players to their fiercest rival infuriated Richmond, who began plotting their revenge.
“Guys like Cloke and Raines were royalty at Richmond and Richmond were understandably pissed off,” said Roberts.
The Tigers tried signing Collingwood icon Peter Daicos, but a conversation with his father persuaded Daicos to stay at the Magpies. So the Tigers set their sights on Phil Walsh and John Annear.
Walsh was named Collingwood’s best first-year player in 1983 and the move hurt Magpie fans.
“He was a very popular player,” Roberts said.
“The fans loved him and from that moment it was a realisation that this was a war.”
Collingwood hit back by securing Brian Taylor in 1985, while Richmond poached Wally Lovett, Neil Peart and Craig Stewart.
But the effects of the war were beginning to take their toll. While Collingwood were getting the best out of their recruits, Richmond’s signings failed to impress.
“What we did was dopey,” Meaklim said.
“While Collingwood were getting hundreds of games from Cloke, Raines and Taylor, we got ordinary players who played under 50 games.
“The money we spent on transfers would have been enough to pay Cloke and Raines what they wanted.”
Collingwood returned to the finals in 1984, while Richmond struggled in the lower half of the ladder.
Over a four-year period, the New Magpies spent $1.8 million on player acquisitions.
In 1986, the Pies were on the verge bankruptcy, but found enough money to pay off their debts.
“We got a stay of execution of a couple of weeks and that gave us the time we needed to settle things down a bit,” Roberts said.
Richmond were not so lucky. Disappointing on-field results saw the club sack four coaches in a five-year period. In 1990, the club declared they needed to raise $1 million by October 31 or face extinction.
The Save Our Skins campaign was established and saw the club rattle tins for survival.
“Tins were taken everywhere to raise the money. A legend match was planned at Windy Hill and it got a crowd of over 23,000,” recalled Meaklim.
Among the many who donated to the cause was the Collingwood Football Club.
It is unclear why the Magpies donated to the Richmond fund. But what is clear is no matter how strained the relationship became, both clubs needed each other for survival.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
It was a hot day too. Blue singlet and tight denim shorts? How the ladies liked it?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Cheaper than that RA. You could still take your own drinks back then and fortunately I didn't smoke. Three games played and with standing room tickets meant an early start. Plenty of mates and plenty of eskies filled with green cans.
Chris
Guest
The only clubs that matter are Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Richmond, Melbourne and Hawthorn. The real flag bearers of the VFL are Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon. The other three are Johnny-come-latelys. We loathe the navy-blues and the bombers just as much as they loathe us. Richmond were first to poach Collingwood players back in the twenties.They have always wanted to be as ferocious as the Collingwood of yesteryear. Collingwood then decided to buy back some of the old Collingwood spírit by bringing in Tommy Hafey and the numerous players they bought in the seventies, eighties and nineties. Collingwood are at fault for not having maintained the fighting spirit of the depression years. The armchair supporter mentality has infiltrated our great club and our fight has vanished!!!
Reservoir Animal
Guest
What were you inebriated on? 50-cent cans and 2-cent cigarettes?
Guttsy
Guest
So Collingwood hated Richmond and Richmond hated Collingwood. I was always told that in Victoria, Collingwood hated everyone else and everyone else hated Collingwood. This hatred of Collingwood hasn't grown outside Victoria since the advent of the AFL , so it does make me wonder why Eddy (just listen to his commentating) so obviously supports other Victorian teams when ever they play interstate teams.
Art Vandelay
Guest
The Riviera! I can well imagine Jack Dyer saying that. As for the suburban support base, especially in the ‘olden days’, Collingwood & Abbotsford (where Victoria Park stands) are generally lumped together in the same way Richmond & Burnley are. Collingwood no doubt had some support in nearby Clifton Hill as well. Cremorne doesn’t really qualify as a suburb. Cheers.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
As I said Milo no hatred towards the Tigers from me although of course I hated losing to them. I actually made it onto the MCG after the 73 grand final despite being slightly inebriated and shook Tommy Hafeys hand. I guess I just loved the standard of football the two sides produced against each other.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
There was no particular time or moment RA, I think it just grew over time. As a boy I grew up in Essendons zone so I gues I resented the fact that if I ever had the ability to play VFL then Essendon were going to stop me from my dream of playing for the Blues. The fact we were only one street away from Carltons zone didn't help. There were a couple of other things that happened over time that involved Essendon supporters which I prefer not to go into detail about, but the irony that I married into a family of Essendon supporters isn't lost on me. Luckily my wife wasn't a big footy fan and actually had a soft spot for Footscray, but I have managed to turn her into a Carlton girl.
Aligee
Guest
History is always worth rehashing, however David Clokes son Travis played in the 2010 flag FOR Collingwood and i have always thought of Cloke Senior as a Richmond player, so strike that up as a win for Collingwood 20 + years later. Funny how two of the biggest clubs in the land are within a stones throw of each other and in the scheme of suburb size tiny, wouldn't be surprised if Collingwood is the smallest suburb in Melbourne, maybe Cremoyne is smaller, however many people think it is just Richmond anyway. Another interesting story about Jack Dyer, one year he told everyone he was going for a holiday to the Riviera, everyone was pretty excited for him, but he didnt appear that excited, turns out he meant the Riverina.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
When did the hatred for Essendon start? Was it the '62 or '68 GFs? The '75 Windy Hill Brawl (which followed an even worse Windy Hill brawl against Richmond the previous year) during Carlton's 14-goal quarter doesn't get discussed as much as it should.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Col, from the 67 second semi of which I have only faintest recollections even tho I was there, to the 82 GF, the teams played around 11 finals, and Id reckon we won 7, Carlton won 3 and there was one draw. This includes four grand finals which were split 2-2. No question my most hated team was Carlton and to Blues supporters I know around my age its fully reciprocated - Collingwood or Esserdon just don't do it for them. Special memories are of a game in the back half of 69 at Princes Park where the Blues had managed to increase their lead each quarter up until three quarter time and it looked like we were gawn. Tommy moved Billy Barrot to full forward and in the last quarter the Tiges, led by Billy, cut loose and ran over the top kicking 10 (I think), and as kids I reckon we were hooked on the Tigers forever after that game. Even more importantly we had to win every game to sneak into the four after a mid season slump that year so that game against the Blues and a similar against the Hawks will be a couple I never forget. More recently however, Im still taking meds and attending counselling after the 2013 EF/Judd debacle. Last season's win of course has salved that somewhat, but next time the Blues take on the Tigers in a final it'll be on again...
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Understand your points RA but as a Carlton supporter who grew up in that era I never hated Richmond, that was reserved for another sash wearing team. Perhaps it was the fact that my mum is a Tiger fan as were all her side of the family. I in fact respected the Hafey Tigers as their team was filled with so many brilliant players as was the Blues. There were never better days than going to Princes Park for a Carlton v Richmond game particularly in 72/73 where the gates were usually closed an hour before the game as they couldn't squeeze any more people in. The 72 grand final was a classic game of free scoring football that I doubt we will ever see again and the result, which was a surprise was pure heaven for me. The 73 GF was obviously disappointing for Blues fans and I will concede the Richmond tactics that day weren't enjoyed by Blues fans. I still can't look at Neil Balme with any respect.
Reservoir Animal
Guest
Whatever the significance of the recruiting war, surely Carlton were still the club Richmond hated most in the 80s? The Hafey-vs-Barassi/Nicholls era even now hasn't gone away for fans of either club who remember that era. And after the "D'Amico debacle" Carlton kept making the finals every year while Richmond didn't.
TomC
Roar Guru
Interesting narrative. Thankyou.
Milo
Roar Rookie
Not something I want to relive. Hindsight tells us that GR was great for the club for the period of mid sixties with Tommy's appointment up until TJ's appointment for season 1979. That was his last good decision. The sacking of TJ after only just missing the five in 1981 albeit with an injury plagued season was the first of many poor decisions made by GR and the club from then on.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
no mention of Treloar claim that Collingwood had the better list and better position for long term success...... He's a funny fella that Treloar.