To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Richmond’s 1973 premiership, we have been transporting Tiger fans back in time throughout 2023 to relive that glorious Yellow and Black year. After the ’73 season, there was still some interesting news coming out of Punt Road. Here is an article from The Age newspaper by Mike Sheahan about high-profile West Australian star big man Mal Brown’s decision to play for Richmond in 1974.

It’s mid-December and the temperature is around 30 deg., but the best known football name from out west is news in or out of season.

Mal Brown, the West Australian who ranks with Ron Barassi as the game’s biggest name, was in Melbourne yesterday.

And, to make the event even more spectacular, the WA star announced he had decided to make a long-awaited, much speculated-upon switch to the VFL.

Brown, 27, announced he would move to Melbourne on January 20 to play with Richmond indefinitely.

Arrangements were finalised – nearly – during lunch yesterday by five of the most successful men in the game.

Brown was dining at the unofficial Tiger headquarters, the Vaucluse Hotel in Richmond.

Coach Tom Hafey sat on his right, president Mr. Ian Wilson was opposite, hotel proprietor and Richmond manager Mr. Graeme Richmond was on Brown’s left and club secretary Mr. Alan Schwab sat next to Mr. Wilson.

The composite table contained coffee cups, glasses of beer, cans of diet ale and the priceless secrets of the earlier negotiations between Brown and the Richmond heads.

Brown, who has a contract to continue with East Perth for two years, said of his clearance chances: “Both clubs have intelligent human beings and it will be worked out amicably.”

Mr. Wilson added: “We’ve come to a form of agreement.”

Brown said East Perth officials knew his plans.

“There are some negotiations to take place, but if I don’t get a clearance nobody else at East Perth has ever been entitled to one,” he said.

Brown, who has created sensations on and off the ground, disputed his reputation as an egotistical, arrogant tough-man.

“I’m just hoping to get a game . . . I’ll play anywhere I’m picked . . . I’ve never been a tough-man,” he said.

Brown wasn’t living up to his image, but he claims his portrayal as “Mal the Mouth” and “Big Bad Mal” are ill-founded reputations created by the media.

The good-looking bachelor did make a couple of predictable statements.

“If I worried about how people feel, I’d have committed suicide five years ago,” he said.

I’m only trying to prove something to myself . . .

I’m not married because I can’t find anyone who loves me as much as I like myself.”

But Brown is smart, alert, lively and far from the egotist indicated by reports.

He said he was apprehensive about playing in the VFL but had decided two weeks ago: “I was getting old too quickly and I was tired of coaching.”

He telephoned Mr. Schwab and then flew to Melbourne on Tuesday night for Richmond’s annual meeting and negotiations with club officials.

He returned to Perth at 8p.m. yesterday to resign as East Perth captain-coach and to make arrangements for his move.

“I’ve got more to lose than I have to gain, but I suppose I decided to come here because of my ambition, ego and pride,” Brown said.

“East Perth is a great club and I have nothing but admiration for them, but Richmond is the best administered club in Australia.”

He wants to learn as much as he can about all aspects of football in his Melbourne stay before returning to WA to coach.

He expects to play for another five years.

Brown, 6 ft. 2 in., 15 st. 10 lb., is already in training and has been told by Hafey what work the Richmond players have been set.

He intends to keep pace. A place in the Richmond team for next year’s opening game against Hawthorn in a big challenge to the ruckman who has captained an All Australian team, won a Sandover Medal and played in three carnivals.

Richmond has no worries about Brown’s ability.

“We reckon he’ll be a sensation,” Mr. Wilson said.

So, Brown finally looks like going on show in the toughest competition of all after eight years of struggle by Collingwood, Richmond and South Melbourne for his services.