After the previous week’s revelations re the Tiger’s predilection for even-numbered goal-kickers, I thought I would check out our best players - the B&Fs, Jack Dyer Medallists. Now, you might expect that since we have had so many leading goalkickers who wore even numbers, the same pattern would follow with the B&F. Well, guess again Tiger fans.
For the last 30 seasons (1985-2014), every Richmond leading goalkicker has worn an even number. In the same period the Richmond B&F has been won by a player wearing an odd number 21 of 30 times. No, I don’t get it either.
Overall, we have had 101 Best and Fairests in our history. It was shared in 1951 (Des Rowe and Roy Wright) and there were a couple of years in the 30s, 20s and 10s where it wasn’t awarded. It’s not clear what number the first winner (Bill Mahoney) wore when he won.
So, of the 100 we know – 61 were won by odd-number-wearing players and 39 by even. That’s a pretty large discrepancy for what should be close to a 50-50 split. It includes such strange occurrences as Kane Johnson wearing No 28, swapping to #17 as part of the ill-fated ’The Captain wears #17’ push, and immediately winning a B&F.
The most successful numbers are:
10 wins : #17 (Dyer(6), Rioli etc),#4 (Raines(3), Hart etc), #9 (Campbell(4), Cotchin(3) etc)
8 wins: #29 (Bartlett(5), Branton(3)
#4 has had 5 different winners (Raines, Hart, Craig Lambert, Dave Cuzens, and Bill James).
Overall, Jack Dyer won 6, Bartlett 5, and Roy Wright, Wayne Campbell 4 each. Cotchin, Geoff Raines, Bill Morris, Ron Branton and Neville Crowe won 3.
There have been 6 different players called Morris play for Richmond over the years – and 3 of them won B&Fs – Kevin (Dad of Steve - 1975), Bill (3 times) and Mel (1922). So, still hopes for Steve to come good.
There has been only 2 players called Rowe play for Richmond over the years. In 1951, Des Rowe won the B&F (shared with Roy Wright). In 1953 Havel Rowe won the B&F. In 1955, Des won. No – not related.
What does it all mean? Stuffed if I know....................
For the last 30 seasons (1985-2014), every Richmond leading goalkicker has worn an even number. In the same period the Richmond B&F has been won by a player wearing an odd number 21 of 30 times. No, I don’t get it either.
Overall, we have had 101 Best and Fairests in our history. It was shared in 1951 (Des Rowe and Roy Wright) and there were a couple of years in the 30s, 20s and 10s where it wasn’t awarded. It’s not clear what number the first winner (Bill Mahoney) wore when he won.
So, of the 100 we know – 61 were won by odd-number-wearing players and 39 by even. That’s a pretty large discrepancy for what should be close to a 50-50 split. It includes such strange occurrences as Kane Johnson wearing No 28, swapping to #17 as part of the ill-fated ’The Captain wears #17’ push, and immediately winning a B&F.
The most successful numbers are:
10 wins : #17 (Dyer(6), Rioli etc),#4 (Raines(3), Hart etc), #9 (Campbell(4), Cotchin(3) etc)
8 wins: #29 (Bartlett(5), Branton(3)
#4 has had 5 different winners (Raines, Hart, Craig Lambert, Dave Cuzens, and Bill James).
Overall, Jack Dyer won 6, Bartlett 5, and Roy Wright, Wayne Campbell 4 each. Cotchin, Geoff Raines, Bill Morris, Ron Branton and Neville Crowe won 3.
There have been 6 different players called Morris play for Richmond over the years – and 3 of them won B&Fs – Kevin (Dad of Steve - 1975), Bill (3 times) and Mel (1922). So, still hopes for Steve to come good.
There has been only 2 players called Rowe play for Richmond over the years. In 1951, Des Rowe won the B&F (shared with Roy Wright). In 1953 Havel Rowe won the B&F. In 1955, Des won. No – not related.
What does it all mean? Stuffed if I know....................
