"Old Time Tiger Hero's" Basil McCormack
"Old Time Tiger Hero's" Basil McCormack (3/8/1904-19/2/1973)
Basil McCormack played on half back flank for the Richmond Tigers between 1925 and 1936. Described as the near perfect defender, who was noted not only for his skills, but also as a descisive, straight ahead player and a courageous tear away who's approach to the game epitomized the Tigers "Eat em Alive" attitude. He is a member of the Tigers Team Of The Century at half back (selected along side Gordon Strang and Mervyn Keane), a two time winner of the Best and Fairest award, a member of the Tigers victorious 1932 and 1934 premiership sides. Playing on the half back flank Basil would have very few peers before or since, and it is said he was major reason with his prominent displays and being amongst the Tigers best players that the Tigers played in seven Grand Finals between 1927 and 1934.
Appearing for the Tigers on a 199 occasions, Basil played in a winning side 135 times, of his 199 games: 15 were finals,
winning 9. He was also selected for the powerful Victorian State teams of the day 13 times. Times were very tough in the late 20's early 30's un was not uncommon for clubs to have to find their players employment, we at Tigerland will forever be indebted to vice-president at the time H.L. Roberts for gaining Basil employment with the Producers and Citizens Assurance Co. For long time Tiger supporter the late Nancy Tipping her all-time Tiger favorite is Basil McCormack (a fearless half-back in
Richmond's Team of the Century.
"Basil was terrific . . . a really good player, hard at it and reliable, I just thought he was great. He was an insurance agent, and I was insured with him. He used to come here once a week and get a shilling off me for insurance." Nancy said. Following his twelve year stint in the VFL, Basil McCormack spent nine years coaching in Tasmania.
