"Old Time Tiger Hero's" Gordon Strang
"Old Time Tiger Hero's" Gordon "Cocker" Strang
(10 February 1908 – 8 October 1951)
Gordon Strang played with the Richmond Tigers in the V F L between 1931-1936 and 1938. The son of Bill Strang, who played for South Melbourne between 1904 and 1913 (and was South Melbourne's leading goal-kicker in 1913) Gordon who made his debut for Richmond along with his younger brother Doug (who was selected at full-forward), on the half forward line, against Carlton in round one on the 2nd of May 1931, it was noted in the paper The Argus" that, on debut, he had "showed grit" and had "kicked well".
Described as one of the classiest players, of his era Gordon Strang was noted for his safe hands and was a great marker of the ball (took 12 marks on debut), in 1931 he put in an outstanding debut season playing all games including the grand final, unfortunately the Tigers after were not victorious in the Grand Final losing to Geelong. With Gordon having a big impact in games playing on the half forward line in the 1932 season, kicking 33 goals, with a best haul of 7 in the rnd 2 encounter against the Dee's. The Tigers having a great season finishing with 16 w-1d-3l, at season end the Tigers went one better, beating arch rivals Carlton by 9 points in the 1932 grand final, in what has been described as a thrilling contest, Gordon having a big impact with his 16 marks.
With the ability to take strong, safe, high marks and he also had an excellent kick, Gordon was frequently seen to have his biggest impact in big games. He was also highly versatile, just two years on from the Tigers 1932 flag triumph he gave an equally adept display playing at centre half back as Richmond Tigers overcame their 1933 nemesis South Melbourne in the 1934 grand final, in what was close to a one-sided grand final winning 19.14.128 to 12.17.89. Gordon continued with the tigers through till the end of the 1936 season (although he made only 2 appearances that year), after a year in Tasmania in 1937 as captain-coach of North Launceston, he returned to the Tigers, and played all of Richmond's 18 matches in the 1938 season, scoring 6 goals.
Gordon played only 116 games for the Tigers, playing in 86 wins and kicking 108 goals, of his 116 games 11 were finals winning 7.
A member of the victorious 1932 and 1934 Tigers premiership sides, he was selected at half back in the Tigers Team Of The Century. He was also selected to play for the Victorian state side on 9 occasions. Tigers fans would have been unanimous in feeling short-changed when Gordon's career finished in 1938. He then transferred to Wodonga as captain-coach in 1939. The death of Gordon Strang, famous Richmond footballer of the 'thirties, at the age of 43, in 1951 will be mourned by all football enthusiasts who thrilled at the Albury man's magnificent displays of high-marking against the powerful teams of his day.
