Ted Ohlson

Recruited from the Rose of Northcote club, Ted Ohlson was a foundation player for Richmond in the VFL, arriving just in time for the club's inaugural season in the major league in 1908. He established himself as a versatile and "steady" utility who could operate effectively as a ruck-rover, wingman, or half-forward. While he wasn't the flashiest player of the era, he was highly regarded internally for his physical commitment, particularly his willingness to win the hard ball and his expertise in shepherding teammates—a vital skill in the contact-heavy play of the early 20th century. His leadership qualities were recognised when he was appointed club captain in 1912, guiding the Tigers through their difficult formative years in the competition.

Ohlson’s career is often remembered for his toughness and the unusual hostility he sometimes faced from the outer. In one famous incident against Melbourne, he played out the majority of the match with a broken collarbone, enduring jeers from his own supporters who mistook his injury-hampered performance for laziness. His time at Punt Road concluded under equally bizarre circumstances during the 1915 season; after receiving an anonymous letter threatening him with severe injury if he took the field against Fitzroy, he played only a few more matches before retiring. He left the game as one of Richmond's first true VFL stalwarts, having played over 100 games during the club's hardest era.