Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
2:58:55 PM Wed 9 April, 2003
Richmond captain Wayne Campbell becomes just the 10th player in the Tigers’ proud history to reach the 250-game milestone when he leads the team out for the Round 3 clash with the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG on Sunday.
The four-time Jack Dyer Medal winner (1995, 1997, 1999, 2002) joins an illustrious group at Tigerland comprising Kevin Bartlett (403), Jack Dyer (312), Francis Bourke (300), Jack Titus (294), Matthew Knights (279), Dale Weightman (274), Vic Thorp (263), Percy Bentley (263) and Kevin Sheedy (251).
Dale Weightman, who these days is Richmond’s Player Development Manager, was the Tigers’ captain back in 1991 when a young lad from Bendigo club Golden Square made his senior debut for the Yellow and Blacks.
“Even back then, Wayne seemed quite mature for his age,” Weightman said.
“He really stood out at the Club because he was such a deep thinker – and not just about footy either. He thought a lot about life issues and had different ideas on things and strong opinions. Wayne’s always had the sort of personality where he doesn’t suffer fools.”
Weightman said that legendary coach Allan Jeans, who was in charge of the Tigers in 1992, predicted a very bright future at the game’s highest level for the then 19-year-old wingman.
“The feedback from ‘Jeansy’ was that young Wayne had that special something which was going to stand him in good stead over a long period of time,” Weightman said.
“He had footy smarts, he could run through the lines, and he was more in the mould of a Tri-athlete with his excellent endurance.
“Jeansy’s certainly been proven right because ‘Cambo’ has gone on to become one of the competition’s elite players and it’s been his consistency over the journey that has really been his trademark.
“To play 250 games of league football is not easy. He has been able to endure because he’s so professional in the way he goes about his business. His preparation is first class and he’s always given himself a really good chance of playing well on match day because of the work he does during the week.
“He certainly sets a fine example for the younger players around the Club.”
Weightman said it’s a tribute to Campbell’s strength of character that he’s been able to stand the test of time at Tigerland – especially after attempting to leave the Club at the end of the 1998 season.
“Some of the supporters got a bit dirty on him back then when he wanted to quit and go to Melbourne. Obviously, he wasn’t happy at the time, but that sort of thing happens in football. I wanted to leave Richmond and go to another club at one stage during my career, too,” Weightman said.
“Sometimes you’re not too keen on the coach or the direction the club’s headed in.
“To Wayne’s great credit, though, he’s gone on to win two more Best and Fairests since deciding to stay at the Club, he’s become captain and he’s been a model of consistency.”
Weightman’s admiration for the current Tiger skipper is not confined merely to his playing ability, either.
“Wayne’s got a real feeling for the history and tradition of the Richmond Football Club,” Weightman said.
“He knows a stack about the Tigers because he grew up barracking for the Club, so it means a fair bit to him, which is great.”
richmondfc.com.au
2:58:55 PM Wed 9 April, 2003
Richmond captain Wayne Campbell becomes just the 10th player in the Tigers’ proud history to reach the 250-game milestone when he leads the team out for the Round 3 clash with the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG on Sunday.
The four-time Jack Dyer Medal winner (1995, 1997, 1999, 2002) joins an illustrious group at Tigerland comprising Kevin Bartlett (403), Jack Dyer (312), Francis Bourke (300), Jack Titus (294), Matthew Knights (279), Dale Weightman (274), Vic Thorp (263), Percy Bentley (263) and Kevin Sheedy (251).
Dale Weightman, who these days is Richmond’s Player Development Manager, was the Tigers’ captain back in 1991 when a young lad from Bendigo club Golden Square made his senior debut for the Yellow and Blacks.
“Even back then, Wayne seemed quite mature for his age,” Weightman said.
“He really stood out at the Club because he was such a deep thinker – and not just about footy either. He thought a lot about life issues and had different ideas on things and strong opinions. Wayne’s always had the sort of personality where he doesn’t suffer fools.”
Weightman said that legendary coach Allan Jeans, who was in charge of the Tigers in 1992, predicted a very bright future at the game’s highest level for the then 19-year-old wingman.
“The feedback from ‘Jeansy’ was that young Wayne had that special something which was going to stand him in good stead over a long period of time,” Weightman said.
“He had footy smarts, he could run through the lines, and he was more in the mould of a Tri-athlete with his excellent endurance.
“Jeansy’s certainly been proven right because ‘Cambo’ has gone on to become one of the competition’s elite players and it’s been his consistency over the journey that has really been his trademark.
“To play 250 games of league football is not easy. He has been able to endure because he’s so professional in the way he goes about his business. His preparation is first class and he’s always given himself a really good chance of playing well on match day because of the work he does during the week.
“He certainly sets a fine example for the younger players around the Club.”
Weightman said it’s a tribute to Campbell’s strength of character that he’s been able to stand the test of time at Tigerland – especially after attempting to leave the Club at the end of the 1998 season.
“Some of the supporters got a bit dirty on him back then when he wanted to quit and go to Melbourne. Obviously, he wasn’t happy at the time, but that sort of thing happens in football. I wanted to leave Richmond and go to another club at one stage during my career, too,” Weightman said.
“Sometimes you’re not too keen on the coach or the direction the club’s headed in.
“To Wayne’s great credit, though, he’s gone on to win two more Best and Fairests since deciding to stay at the Club, he’s become captain and he’s been a model of consistency.”
Weightman’s admiration for the current Tiger skipper is not confined merely to his playing ability, either.
“Wayne’s got a real feeling for the history and tradition of the Richmond Football Club,” Weightman said.
“He knows a stack about the Tigers because he grew up barracking for the Club, so it means a fair bit to him, which is great.”
