Kevin Bartlett

Arriving at Punt Road as a scrawny teenager from the local metropolitan leagues, Kevin Bartlett quickly dispelled doubts about his slight frame to become the heartbeat of Richmond's golden era. He initially established himself as a tireless rover with an unlimited tank, utilizing a relentless running capacity that allowed him to outlast opponents in the heavy conditions of the late 1960s. This endurance became the cornerstone of Tom Hafey's celebrated game plan, resulting in Bartlett playing a pivotal role in four premierships between 1967 and 1974.

Famous for his specific style—which rarely involved a handball—Bartlett was defined by his blistering pace, ability to bounce the ball at speed, and a signature low-centre-of-gravity weave that allowed him to evade tackles. As his career progressed into the late 1970s, he successfully reinvented himself as a dangerous half-forward flanker. This positional switch not only extended his career but saw his goal-kicking output surge, famously highlighted by his seven-goal haul in the 1980 Grand Final victory over Collingwood which secured his fifth flag and the Norm Smith Medal.