Lou Richards is not considered a ‘legend’ by the AFL

LOU Richards did it all. He was a star on the field and on Australian TV — but the AFL doesn’t consider him to be worthy of an elite status.

Collingwood legend Lou Richards at the last game at Victoria Park.

JUST days after the club celebrated its 125th anniversary, Collingwood have lost their most iconic figure, Lou Richards at the age of 94.

The man made his name as the face of his beloved Magpies, but also as a loveable larrikin, as part of the trend setting “League Teams” and “Word of Sport”.

Just hours after his death, many are calling for the AFL to make him an official legend of the game.

The AFL reserves a special place in the Hall of Fame for those they categorise as “Legends”. Just 26 footballers sit in its ranks, reserved for those who “have had a particularly significant positive impact on the game of Australian football.

Names such as Barry Cable, Alex Jesaulenko, Norm Smith, Jock McHale, Kevin Bartlett, Gordon Coventry, Bob Pratt, Bob Skilton, Jack Dyer, Leigh Matthews, Ron Barassi and Ted Whitten make the list.

Tony Lockett was the last man handed legend status in 2015 — but despite his exploits both on and off the AFL field, to now, Lou Richards does not feature.

Collingwood legend Tony Shaw feels that is a travesty and something the AFL should immediately rectify.

“When you think about “Louey” — every time Lou Richards name is mentioned you think about Collingwood,” Shaw told Fox Sports.

“When you think of entertainment you think about a larrikin person and he was one of the greats of the Collingwood football club and one of the greats of AFL.

“Hopefully the AFL might have a look and make him a legend.

“Ted Whitten is a legend of the AFL, Lou has been up there with Ted for a long time both did great things in football.”

Ron Casey, Lou Richards and Jack Dyer of the Channel Seven 'World of Sport' television program.

While he won the hearts of the Australian sporting public with his exploits in the media, Richards also had a stellar football career.

Richards played 250 games for Collingwood and represented Victoria. He captained the Magpies to the 1953 Premiership and was club captain from 1952-1955.

Shaw says Richards’s on-field ability is often overlooked when reflecting on his career, given his post-football career and larrikin nature.

“Lou had a very good career, he was a premiership player like Teddy (Whitten). He played 250 games and was a best and fairest player, he was the captain of Collingwood,” Shaw said.

“He went into the media and you think of ‘League teams’ and ‘World of Sport’ and what he did to the Herald Sun — he just encompassed everything I think, about anything you want to know about football.

“He just loved life and wanted people to enjoy football and be entertained by it. I think he deserved the right. I don’t think the criteria stands up when you talk of Lou Richards.”

Despite his accolades both as a footballer and as a media identity, Shaw says Richards had a rare trait that only the Magpie hero could achieve as a Collingwood identity — universal love.

“He was the face of Collingwood when they had a horrible run and he kept us in the limelight a lot — he was our publicity machine,” Shaw said.

“Footballers from all clubs loved Lou Richards. You can’t say that a lot about a Collingwood person.”

Former Collingwood Magpies VFL legend Lou Richards.

Shaw wasn’t the only one calling for Richards to take his rightful place in AFL royalty.

Journalist Tony Jones, a close friend of the Magpies legend, joined in the chorus to have Richards appropriately honoured.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to glide over it — Lou Richards should be a legend of this game,” Jones told 3AW.

“The AFL has to live with that.”

Well done @TJch9. Not an easy thing to do. Beautifully spoken. #LouRichards https://t.co/e00PDDvXph

— Peter Helliar (@pjhelliar) May 8, 2017

Originally published as Lou Richards is not considered a ‘legend’ by the AFL