Col Saddington

A local product who worked his way up from the Thirds, Saddington established himself as a sturdy defensive utility for the Tigers in the late 1950s. Standing 180cm with a solid frame, he was often tasked with the thankless job of minding the opposition's resting ruckman in the back pocket, where he used his strength and long reach to great effect. While primarily a defender, his aerial ability was formidable; in a memorable 1959 duel against Essendon, he pulled down a massive 16 marks even as his direct opponent, Ron Evans, booted nine goals. His playing tenure at Punt Road concluded on a high note, with his final senior appearance coming in the club’s 1962 Night Series premiership victory.

After stints with Sturt in the SANFL and coaching country football in Coleraine, Saddington returned to Richmond in the 1970s to forge a significant legacy off the field. He took the reins of the Under-19s before stepping up to coach the reserves, where he orchestrated one of the most dominant runs in lower-grade history. His 1973 reserves side recovered from a slow start to win 22 consecutive matches, claiming the premiership and cementing Saddington's status as a key developer of talent during the Tigers' golden era. He was awarded life membership in 1973, recognised as a dedicated clubman who served Richmond across multiple decades.