Ray Martin

Recruited from West Hawthorn Amateurs, Ray Martin’s path to Tigerland immortality was far from a straight line. After a brief taste of senior football in 1930 where he managed just two games, he departed the club to play for Daylesford in the country leagues, only to return in 1932 as a transformed player. Upon his return, he immediately established himself as the club's premier rover, forming a legendary on-ball triumvirate with ruck giants Percy Bentley and Jack Dyer. While small in stature at just 173cm, Martin was renowned for his fearless attack on the contest and his clinical disposal, providing the polish and precision to complement the brute force of his ruckmen.

Martin became the engine room of Richmond’s golden era in the 1930s, playing a pivotal role in the 1932 and 1934 premiership victories. His consistency and class were recognised internally with back-to-back Best and Fairest awards in 1934 and 1935, and he went close to league-wide glory when he finished third in the 1934 Brownlow Medal. A dangerous option forward of centre who regularly hit the scoreboard, he remained a key figure at Punt Road until the 1940 Grand Final, retiring as a Life Member and one of the most decorated rovers in the club’s history.