Oval name change a chance for Dyer tribute
By Linda Pearce, Caroline Wilson
August 26 2003
Richmond would consider any push to rename the Punt Road Oval after the late Jack Dyer and has already sought AFL permission to feature the famous No. 17 on the front of each player's guernsey during Sunday's game against Hawthorn.
President Clinton Casey yesterday confirmed the proposal for Dyer's old number, now in retirement, to be displayed on each jumper, just as Bali survivor Jason McCartney this season paid tribute to those killed in the bombing by wearing the numbers 88 and 202. Pending AFL approval, there will also be a No. 17 logo painted on to the MCG surface, near the AFL emblem.
Although emphasising there was currently no plan to rename Punt Road Oval, and thus follow the lead set by the Western Bulldogs when they honoured former champion E. J. Whitten at the Western Oval in 1995, Casey said any groundswell of support would be monitored.
"It's not on the agenda, but if there's a request that was put forward we'd put it on the agenda and consider it," he said. "We've had a lot of recommendations put to the club in terms of what to do to pay tribute to Jack Dyer and his contribution to the Richmond footy club, and all of them will be considered, and we'll do whatever we think is the most appropriate.
"The idea of renaming the ground after him I haven't heard, but certainly we'll throw that in the pot for consideration."
An annual player award, distinct from the existing club championship, may be introduced by the Tigers, whose Jack Dyer Foundation has successfully raised funds to build new club facilities at Punt Road Oval. A $60,000 bronze statue of Dyer commissioned four months ago will be unveiled at the ground on September 21 by Federal Sport Minister Rod Kemp.
The statue, which measures three metres and will mark the entrance to the club, has been donated by the club's veteran patron and former No. 1 member David Mandie. The ceremony had been planned before Dyer's death on Saturday and it is believed the club and Mandie had considered asking club legend Kevin Bartlett to unveil the statue but turned to Kemp for fear Bartlett would refuse the honour.
Bartlett and Bob Davis have both been asked by the Dyer family to speak at tomorrow's funeral service at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Richmond, with both private and public wakes to follow at Punt Road, including an on-field ceremony at 1.30pm. Casey said detailed plans for Sunday's game-day tribute were yet to be finalised, but it is believed the AFL would look favourably on the guernsey idea, among others.
FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN BLOOD
• Jack Dyer's funeral service will be held at St Ignatius Church (Church Street, Richmond) at 10am tomorrow. The MCG carpark near the Punt Road entrance will be open from 9am.
• St Ignatius holds about 800 people, so a special area will be allocated at the front of the church for family, close friends, former teammates and club officials. For those who can't fit into the church, the club is hoping to organise outside speakers to broadcast the service.
• The service will finish at about 11am, and everyone is invited back to Punt Road Oval for the celebration of Jack's life. At about 11.30am the funeral cortege will make its way past Punt Road Oval (via Church Street and Swan Street) for a final farewell. There'll be food and drinks available for the public.
• At about 1.30pm, the club will ask everyone to join Dyer's family on the ground for a special ceremony, culminating in the release of 312 (Captain Blood's games tally) yellow and black balloons and a rendition of the Richmond's stirring theme song.
• Match-day tribute to be held at the MCG on Sunday, August 31, at the Richmond-Hawthorn game.
By Linda Pearce, Caroline Wilson
August 26 2003
Richmond would consider any push to rename the Punt Road Oval after the late Jack Dyer and has already sought AFL permission to feature the famous No. 17 on the front of each player's guernsey during Sunday's game against Hawthorn.
President Clinton Casey yesterday confirmed the proposal for Dyer's old number, now in retirement, to be displayed on each jumper, just as Bali survivor Jason McCartney this season paid tribute to those killed in the bombing by wearing the numbers 88 and 202. Pending AFL approval, there will also be a No. 17 logo painted on to the MCG surface, near the AFL emblem.
Although emphasising there was currently no plan to rename Punt Road Oval, and thus follow the lead set by the Western Bulldogs when they honoured former champion E. J. Whitten at the Western Oval in 1995, Casey said any groundswell of support would be monitored.
"It's not on the agenda, but if there's a request that was put forward we'd put it on the agenda and consider it," he said. "We've had a lot of recommendations put to the club in terms of what to do to pay tribute to Jack Dyer and his contribution to the Richmond footy club, and all of them will be considered, and we'll do whatever we think is the most appropriate.
"The idea of renaming the ground after him I haven't heard, but certainly we'll throw that in the pot for consideration."
An annual player award, distinct from the existing club championship, may be introduced by the Tigers, whose Jack Dyer Foundation has successfully raised funds to build new club facilities at Punt Road Oval. A $60,000 bronze statue of Dyer commissioned four months ago will be unveiled at the ground on September 21 by Federal Sport Minister Rod Kemp.
The statue, which measures three metres and will mark the entrance to the club, has been donated by the club's veteran patron and former No. 1 member David Mandie. The ceremony had been planned before Dyer's death on Saturday and it is believed the club and Mandie had considered asking club legend Kevin Bartlett to unveil the statue but turned to Kemp for fear Bartlett would refuse the honour.
Bartlett and Bob Davis have both been asked by the Dyer family to speak at tomorrow's funeral service at St Ignatius Catholic Church in Richmond, with both private and public wakes to follow at Punt Road, including an on-field ceremony at 1.30pm. Casey said detailed plans for Sunday's game-day tribute were yet to be finalised, but it is believed the AFL would look favourably on the guernsey idea, among others.
FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN BLOOD
• Jack Dyer's funeral service will be held at St Ignatius Church (Church Street, Richmond) at 10am tomorrow. The MCG carpark near the Punt Road entrance will be open from 9am.
• St Ignatius holds about 800 people, so a special area will be allocated at the front of the church for family, close friends, former teammates and club officials. For those who can't fit into the church, the club is hoping to organise outside speakers to broadcast the service.
• The service will finish at about 11am, and everyone is invited back to Punt Road Oval for the celebration of Jack's life. At about 11.30am the funeral cortege will make its way past Punt Road Oval (via Church Street and Swan Street) for a final farewell. There'll be food and drinks available for the public.
• At about 1.30pm, the club will ask everyone to join Dyer's family on the ground for a special ceremony, culminating in the release of 312 (Captain Blood's games tally) yellow and black balloons and a rendition of the Richmond's stirring theme song.
• Match-day tribute to be held at the MCG on Sunday, August 31, at the Richmond-Hawthorn game.
