Ralph Empey (22 September 1904 – 28 September 1960) was an Australian rules footballer who played with

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

in the

Victorian Football League The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...

(VFL).

Football

Empey played his early football at Scotch College and made his first VFL appearance in 1924. In his 49-game career he played in nine finals, including two grand finals, both of which Richmond lost.AFL Tables: Ralph Empey
/ref> He kicked two goals from a

forward pocket In the sport of Australian rules football, each of the eighteen players in a team is assigned to a particular named position on the field of play. These positions describe both the player's main role and by implication their location on the gro ...

in the 1928 Grand Final and was a half forward flanker in the premiership decider a year later. In Round 1, 1930, he was the first player ever substituted into a VFL match following the introduction of the 19th man rule that year, replacing the injured Hope Collins at three-quarter time.

Cricket

Empey was also a capable cricketer, and as a journeyman in district cricket played a total of 79 first XI games for

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

University A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States ...

and Carlton between 1923-24 and 1938-39, averaging 21.1 with the bat and taking 91 wickets at 28.1 with the ball.

Notes

References

* Hogan P: ''The Tigers Of Old'', Richmond FC, (Melbourne), 1996. * 1904 births 1960 deaths People educated at Scotch College, Melbourne Australian rules footballers from Victoria (Australia) Australian Rules footballers: place kick exponents Richmond Football Club players {{AFL-bio-1904-stub