Stars of Tigerland Dale Weightman
Stars of Tigerland Dale "Flea" Weightman (3 October 1959) Dale played for the Richmond Tigers between 1978 and 1993, in his career he played 274 games and kicked 344 goals. A member of the the Tigers 1980 premiership team and two time best and fairest winner.
Dale started his football journey as a junior with the Mildura Imperials, winning three premierships and the competition best and fairest awards at both U15 and U17 level. Playing in an area that was exclusively Richmond's to pick from the Tigers moved the young 17 yr old to Melbourne in 1977, Dale picked up more accolades playing school football, he was also a member of Richmond's 1977 grand final winning U19 team
Standing only 170 cm (5ft 7 in) there is no wonder he got the nickname "FLEA", as a footballer he was tenacious, fleet of foot, feisty and highly skilled, the small man made excellent use of his size in his role as rover.
Dale made his debut for the Tigers in 1978 wearing the number 43 jumper, playing 18 games in his first season and kicked 24 goals.
He was rewarded with number 3 at the beginning of the 1978 season.
It wasn't until the memorable 1980 season that Dale became a regular in the Tigers senior side. A member of the victorious Tigers 1980 premiership team, Dale was a standout performer in the Tigers demolition of the Pies that day picking up 20 possessions (6 kicks, 14 h/balls, 1 goal). His efforts that season gained him selection for the state team for the first time.
Dale was also a great contributor for the Tigers in the 1982 grand final loss, although the Tigers fortunes turned sour through the rest of the his career, Dale was always a top performer in an under performing side. Dale won the Tigers best and fairest award twice 1986-1987 and finished in the top 10 on 7 occasions.
The time that Dale spent as captain of the Tigers (1988-1992) was one of the bleakest in our proud history, with the club on the verge of folding, although the Tigers may have been on the wane Dale made up for the lack of finals games, using his 20 appearances in State of Origin games as a substitute to show his wares at a high level. . It was said he played some of his best football for the State and was one of those rare players - the better the standard the better he would play.
Always a highly effective and eye catching interstate performer, Dale was at his peak in 1985, a time which saw Victoria re-establish its supremacy in the interstate arena. Given an armchair ride by the consummate supremacy in the ruck of his Richmond team mate Mark Lee, Dale cut both South Australia and Western Australia to ribbons in successive near best afield performances. During his time as a state player Dale won the 1985 Tassie Medal for best player in the State of Origin series and the 1985 Simpson Medal for best player in the Western Australia v Victoria match played in Perth Dale went on to Captain the Big V in 1987, 1988 v WA and also against NSW in 1990, During his time as a state player Dale won the 1985 Tassie Medal for best player in the State of Origin series and the 1985 Simpson Medal for best player in the Western Australia v Victoria match played in Perth
A main feature of Dale's play was his use of constructive handball, to this day he still tops the list of all Tigers players with 2736 handballs in his 274 games, an average of roughly 10 a game, compare that with Kevin Bartlett who in 403 games gave off only 858. Dale achieved a lot in his career made all the more remarkable by the fact he suffered from diabetes since early adult hood, Dale still likes to keep active around the club, he also played in the 2005-2006 EJ Whitten Legend matches
Dale Weightman's Career Highlights
Hall of Fame Inductee: 2002 Playing Career: 1978 – 1993 Games: 274 Goals: 344 Premierships: 1980 Best & Fairest: 1986, 1987 RFC Captain: 1988 – 1992 Interstate Games: 20 Simpson Medal: 1985 Tassie Medal: 1985 E J Whitten Medal: 1986, 1990 All Australian: 1985, 1986, 1988 RFC Life Member 1987 RFC Team of the Century AFL Life Member AFL Hall of Fame Member
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