"EAT 'EM ALIVE"
"EAT 'EM ALIVE"
Do you know where"EAT 'EM ALIVE" the phrase that all tigers call out on match day comes from and who is credited with it? It came after our win in the 1920 Grand Final and after the game, our 6'2" champion ruckman Barney Herbert shouted to the excited Richmond crowd, “What did we do?” The crowd replied, “we ate’em alive.” Thus a famous club catch-cry was born.
Barney played 192 senior games for the Richmond Football Club between 1909 and 1921, and was part of the club’s rise from newcomer to VFL power. He was a very big man for his time and became the backbone of Richmond in this era. Barney was the Tigers ‘Best and Fairest’ in 1918 and 1919, and his dominance in the ruck was credited with winning Richmond its first premiership in 1920. Bernard (Barney) Herbert. Joined Victoria Police in March 1909 and retired as an Inspector in 1949 and was commended on eight occasions during his police career, and in 1913 he was awarded the ‘Valour Badge’ for bravery during the arrest of an armed offender. 1920 VFL Grand Final- Richmond V Collingwood Richmond 1.2 2.5 4.7 7.10 52 Collingwood 1.2 1.2 3.4 5.5 35 Goals: Don 2, Weatherill, Harley, H James, W James, Hall. Best: Hislop, H.James, Hall, Moffatt, Herbert, Smith, Thorp, Hede. The 1920 premiership team Backs R Hede V Thorp E Taylor Half Backs J Smith M Hislop G Parkinson Centres S Morris F Hughes R Carew Half Forwards D Don comes ffrom R Weatherill F Harley Forwards H James D Minogue W James Ruck B Herbert D Moffatt Rover C Hall Coach Dan Minogue 1920 Grand Final review
This game was played in fine weather before a crowd of 53,908 people. Richmond went into this game as slight favorites. Both teams were missing their champion full-forwards, Bayliss from Richmond, who was ill and Lee from Collinwood, injured. Richmond skipper, Dan Minogue who was also ill moved himself to full-forward to cover this loss; however, the move proved unsuccessful. Richmond won the toss and kicked with the wind. The Tigers started in a far more determined manner than Collingwood, with revenge for the previous year a prime motivator. The first quarter was very even with scores level at the first change. The Richmond defence led by Max Hislop prevented Collingwood from scoring in the second quarter when they had the wind. This proved to be a crucial period of the game as Richmond went to the long break with a 9-point lead after a fiercely fought first half. Early goals in the third quarter to Harley and Don ensured Richmond maintained their 9-point led at three-quarter time. Richmond attacked early in the last quarter before Donald Don goaled after 3 successive points. Robert Weatherill followed soon after and the Tigers were well on their way to their first Premiership. Two late goals to Collingwood were answered when Richmond’s first gamer Bill James, ran in to kick the last goal of the match and signal the beginning of Premiership celebrations. This victory proved that Richmond had learned from the 1919 defeat. Instead of trying to out muscle the Magpies, they kicked into the open spaces, allowing their superior pace and skill to keep the game open and flowing.
