Ron Branton

Hailing from the Victorian country town of Maryborough, Ron Branton was a diminutive but fiercely determined rover who became the shining light for Richmond during one of the club's bleakest eras. While he attracted interest from strong clubs like Geelong and St Kilda, Branton signed with the Tigers largely due to the influence of 1943 premiership player Max Oppy, who lived across the road from him in Maryborough. He made an immediate impact at Punt Road, winning the club's goalkicking award in his debut season—a rare feat for a midfielder—and claiming the Best First Year Player award in 1953.

Branton developed into one of the VFL's most consistent performers, renowned for his exquisite foot skills and mastery of the stab pass. Although standing just 170cm, he was a surprisingly strong overhead mark and fearless in the contest. Later in his career, he reinvented himself as a high-quality back pocket, a role in which he earned state selection for Victoria. His standing at Tigerland is immense; he captained the club from 1960 to 1962 and won the Best and Fairest in all three seasons, becoming the only player in Richmond history to win three consecutive Jack Dyer Medals while skipper. Despite finishing equal second in the 1962 Brownlow Medal, he left the VFL at the peak of his powers to captain-coach Myrtleford in the Ovens & Murray League, accepting a lucrative offer that dwarfed his match payments at Punt Road.