Richmond v Essendon: Sydney Stack lights up Dreamtime at the 'G in Tigers' war cry

James Pavey

Richmond v Essendon: Sydney Stack lights up Dreamtime at the 'G in Tigers' war cry image

It typified what Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round is all about - a celebration and recognition of indigenous players and culture.

The marquee match of the round is the Dreamtime at the 'G clash between Richmond and Essendon on the Saturday night.

There, it was another stage for young Sydney Stack to shine.

Being unwanted in last year's drafts was unthinkable considering Stack was an All Australian under-18 star.

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The 19-year-old, a proud Noongar man from a small country town east of Perth, stepped up before the bounce in Richmond's war cry.

It worked in Richmond's favour as Damien Hardwick's side sealed a 10.12 (72) to 6.14 (50) victory, marking Richmond's sixth win from its past seven games.


The youngster from Northam, having played for Perth Demons, made his senior debut for the Tigers in a round three loss to GWS.

Three weeks later, Stack burst onto the scene in a big way when he floored Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney with the bump to end all bumps.

After that game, Hardwick revealed how big an impression Stack has made at Punt Road.

Sydney Stack

"Yeah, it was unbelievable, you sort of heard it before you saw it. He was that quick," Hardwick said after the Melbourne game.

"We all know how tough Jack Viney is, too, and both those boys aren't going to take a backward step.

"It was funny, we're probably summing up Sydney's game and he's slowly become a fan favourite.

"He's taken a hanger, he did a massive bump and he's kicked a torpedo [all in the same game]. 

"They'll be building a statue of him across the road shortly, the Richmond faithful."

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo