Jack Fincher

Jack Fincher arrived at Richmond as a seasoned recruit from Castlemaine, bringing a level of maturity and grit that allowed him to make an immediate impact as a rover. Known for his clever ball use and courageous attack on the contest, he became a central figure in a dominant but ultimately heartbroken Tigers outfit, playing in three consecutive losing Grand Finals from 1927 to 1929. His most notable moment on the big stage came during the torrential rain of the 1927 decider against Collingwood, where he kicked Richmond's solitary goal for the entire match in a gruelling defensive slog.

Despite his consistent performances, Fincher’s VFL career is often defined by a stroke of misfortune; he crossed to Footscray in 1931, missing out on Richmond's breakthrough premiership by a single season. He spent three years at the Western Oval providing valuable experience to the Bulldogs before heading to the Gippsland region, where he finally tasted premiership success as a captain-coach for both Sale and Yallourn. His legacy remains that of a dedicated and highly capable rover who contested every issue, even if the ultimate VFL prize eluded him.