Dick Clay

Richard Harold Clay (born 6 March 1945 in Ferntree Gully, Victoria) is a former Australian rules footballer. As one of Richmond's greatest players in the post-war ear, Clay was renowned for his versatility, aerial strength and prodigious field kicking, and was duly named in the Tigers' Team of the Century.

Dick Clay
Personal information
Date of birth (1945-03-06) 6 March 1945
Place of birth Ferntree Gully, Victoria
Original team(s) Kyabram
Debut Round 2, 1966, Richmond
vs. Footscray, at MCG
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 89 kg (196 lb)
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1966–1976 Richmond 213 (80)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1976.
Career highlights
  • Richmond Premiership Player 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974
  • Victoria Representative (2 games)
  • Richmond Team of The Century
  • Richmond Hall of Fame – inducted 2002
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Clay began playing football for Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley Football League, initially as a forward flanker. But after growing 15 centimetres in six months, he was developed into a key position player.

Although he spent his entire VFL career at Richmond, Clay was actually signed by North Melbourne in 1964, after former player Les Mogg saw him in action in a practice match for Kyabram at Cobram. Clay kicked 116 goals for Kyabram that season and was invited to try out for North Melbourne. Clay made his VFL debut with Richmond in Round 2 of the 1966 VFL season in a win against Footscray at the MCG, lining up at centre half-forward on the great Ted Whitten. A versatile player, Clay was soon switched to the wing where he formed a revered centreline with Francis Bourke and Bill Barrot. As well as playing State of Origin for Victoria, he played in four Premiership sides – as part of the famous centreline in 1967 and 1969, and at full-back in the back-to-back victories of 1973 and 1974.

After retiring in 1976, Clay headed to the VFA where he captain-coached Prahran in 1977 before returning to Richmond where he served as Director and a member of the Match Committee in 1985.

Today he has retired, and lives on the south coast of Victoria.

References
  • 1971 Tiger Year Book – Richmond Football Club
  • Hogan, P: The Tigers Of Old, Richmond FC, Melbourne 1996
  • Piesse, K: The Complete Guide to Australian Football, Pan Macmillan Publishers, Sydney 1993
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