Australian Football

Remembered today as one of the finest full backs of his time, Dick Clay actually began his senior football career with Kyabram as a full forward, in which position he became the first Goulburn Valley Football League player to register in excess of a hundred goals in a season. That was in 1963, three years before he embarked on a VFL career with Richmond. During the early part of that career he continued to play mainly as a forward, before spending several successful seasons as a wingman. Strong overhead, and a thumping kick, he could adapt well to almost any key position, but it was after he was switched to the last line of defence that he truly found his niche.

A Richmond premiership player in 1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974, Clay played a total of 213 VFL games, and kicked 80 goals, between 1966 and 1976. He also represented the VFL. He crossed to Prahran during the 1976 season and spent the following year, his last in senior football, as the club's captain-coach. Dick Clay was selected as a member of Richmond's prestigious official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney