Dick Harris

Recruited from Warrnambool in the Western District, Dick Harris arrived at Punt Road in 1934 and immediately established himself as one of the most dangerous small forwards of his era. Standing just 171cm, he was a fiery and elusive rover-forward who combined a cunning football brain with deadly accuracy in front of goal. He made an instant impact in his debut season, booting 51 goals and playing a key role in the Tigers' 1934 premiership side. Harris was renowned for his potent partnership with legendary full-forward Jack Titus, crumbing packs effectively and using his sharp torpedo punt to punish opposition defenders.

Harris's greatest individual hour came nearly a decade later during the 1943 Grand Final against Essendon, where he booted seven goals in a thrilling five-point victory. That performance capped off a stellar season in which he won the VFL leading goalkicker award, a feat he also achieved at club level three times. His Richmond career ended prematurely after an injury in the 1944 semi-final forced him to miss that year's Grand Final, but he remained a dedicated Tiger for decades, serving as the club's longest-serving reserves coach and briefly filling in as senior coach. A member of the Richmond Hall of Fame, he was described by teammate Jack Dyer as the toughest small player he ever saw.