Vale Richie Rigg

A big contingent of Perth supporters and former players travelled to Bunbury on February 18 for the funeral of popular 1967 and 1968 premiership player, Richie Rigg, who died after a long illness. He was aged 68.

Richie grew up on his parent's farm at Harvey, but later moved with his wife Joan and family to Australind. He was surrounded by his family when he finally lost his battle with cancer.

 He was the third member of the extended Rigg family to wear the red and black guernsey. His cousin Basil played 45 games in the 1940s before switching to become a league umpire, and older brother Eddie played 83 games in the early 1960s.

Eddie spoke with humour and feeling about his brother at the Funeral Mass in St Patrick's Cathedral.

Richie served notice that he was a sportsmen of great promise when he broke into the Aquinas College First Eleven cricket team in 1957 at the age of 12. He also excelled at football and it was fortunate for Perth that he concentrated on football on leaving school.

League captain-coach Malcolm Atwell earmarked the Harvey-Brunswick recruit for the back pocket in 1967 after the retirement of former captain Bill Leuzzi, who had filled the spot in the 1966 premiership side.

Richie was handed the task of minding the resting rovers. Tall for a back pocket player at the time, he was able to outmark his opponents, and also had a good turn of pace. He developed a fine understanding with the team's unflinching full back, the late Graham Ramshaw, and together they generally made Saturday afternoons miserable for opposing forwards.   

He played 69 league games for Perth before the constant travel for training and matches on Saturday took its toll, and he retired in 1969. But he was always a popular figure at the club when he returned for reunions with his premiership teammates or just to watch a game.

Past players and members at the funeral included Malcolm Atwell, Bob Shields, Pat Astone, Ian Rothnie, Graham Edwards, Graeme White, Ray Lawrence, Noel Wilson, Mal Winsor, Bob Coleman, Bob Page, Allan Stiles and Basil Rigg. Former PFC president Ted O'Connor, a schoolmate of Richie's, also made the trip to Bunbury to say goodbye.

The Perth Football Club extends its sincere sympathy to the whole Rigg family, especially Richie's wife Joan --  with whom he was married for more than 40 years --  their three children and their families, and brother Eddie.

Vale Richie Rigg, a talented and popular Perth player, and a fine citizen.

- PETER KENNEDY