Bob Bawden

Recruited from Morwell in the Gippsland region after a brief stint in the VFA with Oakleigh, Bob Bawden arrived at Punt Road as a ready-made big man. Standing 191cm and weighing over 90kg, he was a massive physical presence for the era and carved out a vital niche as the second ruckman to the legendary Jack Dyer. Bawden shouldered much of the heavy lifting in the contests, allowing 'Captain Blood' to exert his influence around the ground. He was far from just a backup tap ruckman, however; he proved a dangerous option when resting in the forward pocket, using his superior strength to haul in contested marks and finishing his career with an average of exactly one goal per game.

Bawden was a central figure during a golden era for the Tigers, featuring in four Grand Finals across just five years. While he endured the heartbreak of defeats in the 1940, 1942, and 1944 deciders, he secured his place in history as a member of the 1943 premiership side. His reputation for on-field resilience was cemented in his final season when he won the club's "Most Determined" award in 1945. Following his VFL career, he moved to Tasmania to captain-coach City South in the NTFA, leaving behind a legacy as a reliable, goal-kicking ruckman who played a crucial supporting role in one of Richmond's most successful periods.