Stars of Tigerland Roger Dean
Stars of Tigerland Roger Dean Roger Edward Dean (30 April 1940-) played for the Richmond Tigers in the VFL between 1957 and 1973.
Roger Dean is credited with having the fastest rise of any VFL/AFL player in history 4th's to 1st's in one season, and was one of the last elite Australian footballers born and bred in the local suburb for which he played. Roger decided whilst still at school that he would forge a football career playing for the Richmond Tigers, after leaving school Roger joined the Richmond scouts junior team, where he played for 2 years before trying out for the Tigers 4th's in 1956. In 1957 at the age of just 17 Roger accomplished the remarkable feat of going from the 4th's to senior team in a single season. Although his career started with a bang, Roger didn't become a regular in the senior team until 1961. Described as a neat, skilful and extremely determined player, Roger was a good mark for a small man, he was very versatile and was used in many roles, attack, defense and occasionally as a rover, with a keen goal sense, Roger actually played his best football as a defender where his stability and courage stood out, required attributes in the defensive game style of the era. Remembered by the opposition supporters for his alleged "acting" attributes, he apparently never let an opportunity go by to stage for a free kick, throwing himself around melodramatically as if the recipient of an illegal tackle. He may have earned the ire of the opposition supporters but the Tigers fans loved him. Its alleged that one of his "acting" incidents lead to the great Ron Barassi being suspended and missing the 1963 grand final, although at the time video evidence was not allowed in tribunal hearings and Melbourne were unable to prove Barassi's innocence.
Roger Dean's career bridged two different eras with the Tigers: the battling years when the club farewelled their old Punt Road Oval, and the beginning of their glory days which began with a move to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (2015 is the 50 year anniversary of the Tigers leaving Punt Rd) With the Tigers having a pretty dismal record in the first 6 years of Roger's career (18 wins from 108 games), in 1964 an ambitious plan got underway to rectify the situation, with the Tigers looking to move their home games to the MCG, overhaul their administration and instigate a big money recruiting campaign. Roger was one of the group of senior players that the Richmond Tigers would use to build the team around, he was in outstanding form as the Tigers climbed the ladder finishing 5th in both 1965 and 1966, Tommy Hafey's first year as coach.
In 1967 the Tigers made it to the top of the ladder, during the high pressure finals series Roger's leadership was much needed as there were no players in the team with finals experience, he exerted great influence in the Tigers semi final win over Carlton and the grand final win over Geelong, in the grand final Roger collected 17 possessions, including a courageous mark in the dying minutes as he grimly held the ball whilst crashing into the point post. He completed his best ever season with a second placing in the club's best and fairest award. Having the honor of Captaining the Tigers bestowed on him at the beginning of the 1968 season, Roger a plumber by trade epitomized perhaps more than anyone else the quintessential 'Tiger spirit' (a blue collar, tough-as-teak image that the Richmond liked to project) which Tom Hafey imbued in the Tigers after his appointment as coach in 1966. For the remainder of Rogers career, he was used in a variety of positions , he relinquished the back pocket position to another plumber with a similar reputation, Kevin Sheedy.
With the disappointment of missing the finals in his first year as Captain, the Tigers made amends in 1969, with Roger achieving the great honour of captaining the premiership side. the Tigers defeated Carlton by 25 points in front of 119,615 people at the MCG Roger led the Richmond Tigers into the finals for a second time in 1971, during the season he became the seventh player to pass two hundred games in the Yellow and Black. Unfortunately the year ended in a defeat to St Kilda in the preliminary final, Roger then handed the captaincy to the brilliant young Tasmanian, Royce Hart. In 1972 Roger was now the veteran of the team, often playing up forward. However, he broke a leg on the eve of the finals and missed playing in the Grand Final when the Tigers crashed to defeat. In 1973 Roger's form dropped and he managed to play less than half the games, although included in the team for the semi final win over St Kilda, he lost his place in the grand final side, he captained the reserves in the grand final instead. With the Tigers attempting to win all 4 grades in 1973 (which they did), Roger finished his career on a high note captaining the reserve side to victory, his playing career came to an end that day, and another era also closed, Roger was the last remaining Tiger to have played a senior game at Punt Rd Roger played 245 games winning 133 and kicked 204 goals , of his 245 games 7 were finals. Is a member of the victorious 1967-1969 premiership sides, Selected on the half forward line in the Tigers Team Of The Century, Represented Victoria 4 times.
Roger Dean's Career Highlights
Inductee: 2002 Playing Career: 1957 – 1973 Games: 245 Goals: 204 Premierships: 1967, 1969 RFC Leading Goalkicker: 1964 RFC Captain: 1968 – 1971 Interstate Games: 4 RFC Life Member 1964 RFC Team of the Century
