TASMANIAN TEAM OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Forward Line

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Right Forward Pocket - Matthew Richardson (Devonport & Richmond)

Currently one of the highest profile forwards in the game Richardson made his Richmond debut in 1993 and has since carved out a spectacular, if often injury interrupted, career for himself at the highest level.  Six times Richmond's leading goalkicker he is also one of the finest marks in the AFL, leading the League after the home and away series in that particular statistical category in 1999.  Despite being sensationally dropped to Richmond's VFL side the Coburg Tigers after a woeful performance against Carlton in the 14th round of the 2002 season it would be churlish to suggest that Richardson's career has reached a crossroads, and indeed he arguably remains one of the League's top half a dozen draw cards. 

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Full Forward - Peter Hudson (New Norfolk, Hawthorn, Glenorchy)

Statistically the most prolific full forward in the history of the game, Peter Hudson can also lay strong claims to having been the best. All told, Hudson played a total of 289 senior games for New Norfolk, Hawthorn and Glenorchy between 1963 and 1981, netting 1,721 goals at an average of 5.95 goals per game. He also kicked a further 317 goals in other games such as interstate matches for Tasmania and Victoria, intrastate football for the TFL, night games, state and Australian championship matches, and so forth, for an Australian record career total of 2,038 senior goals. The key to Hudson's success was an indefatigable desire to gain possession of the football, which he did repeatedly by virtue of his strength, vigorous, pacy leading, and excellent handling and marking skills.  Topping this off, he was a meticulously accurate kick for goal, albeit relying, almost exclusively, on an old fashioned tumble punt which would have scored no points whatsoever for 'artistic merit', and which seemed outmoded even in Hudson's era. Not that 'artistic merit' ever contributed measurably to a premiership, of course.

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Left Forward Pocket - Horrie Gorringe (Cananore)

Highly regarded throughout Australia during his World War One interrupted playing career Horrie Gorringe was the epitome of the ‘text book’ rover. Quick, elusive and highly skilled, he could dispose of the ball with equal precision using either foot. He was also extremely tough, often taking the field carrying injuries that would have sidelined lesser men. Gorringe represented Tasmania in the interstate arena on numerous occasions, including the 1924 and 1927 carnivals. At the Hobart carnival of 1924 he was voted Tasmania’s best player when he more than held his own against the very best that the mainland state sides could throw at him. A year earlier he had been one of the best players afield in the TFL’s famous victory over a South Australian combination on the Adelaide Oval. Champion Collingwood goalsneak Gordon Coventry called Gorringe "a super footballer" – rare praise indeed coming from a Victorian – while revered all round sports personality Victor Richardson was another to hold the "nippy rover" in the highest esteem.

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See The Vic Richardson Story page 169.  Return to Main Text