Lou Richards, a legend of the Collingwood Football Club and an AFL personality for over half a century, was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame on Tuesday 8 October.

Lewis Thomas Charles Richards’ football career has unfortunately been glossed over by his remarkable media career, an understandable consequence of living in the media spotlight for over 50 years.

Richards' last game for Collingwood was in 1955 against Essendon when he ran out for his 250th senior match.

A career that spanned over 15 seasons in the black and white, Richards truly made his mark as a Magpie when he captained the club for four seasons (1952-55).

He skippered the side to the 1953 Premiership and was one of the best on the ground.  His play in the rover position was outstanding all day and with his leadership on the field, the team sealed their 13th premiership.

Richards’ career ended one year before television was introduced to Melbourne; fitting considering he helped paved the way for the success of AFL’s broadcast in the media.

“Louie the Lip's” post-football career took off on Channel Seven’s broadcast where Collingwood President Eddie McGuire considered him the best TV broadcaster football has ever seen.

Richards starred on World of Sport until 1985 when he made his move over to Channel Nine.

On Nine, he featured on The Footy Show and The Sunday Footy Show.

Even to this day, at the age of 85, Richards is still telling jokes and delivering jabs captivating The Sunday Footy Show audience in the manner he did as a player and as a media personality.

A football champion and media legend, Richards was honoured in the general category of the Hall of Fame. The category recognises coaches, sports scientists, media and others for outstanding contribution to sport in support of athletes.

Notes

Richards led the goal kicking for Collingwood in the 1944, ’48 and ’50 seasons (423 career goals).

He kicked a career-high seven goals against North Melbourne in round three, 1946.

Placed three times in the Copeland Trophy voting but never won.

Represented Victoria three times and won the Herald’s Player of the Year award in 1947.

His grandfather, Charlie Pannam senior and his teammate/uncle, Alby, captained the club.

Richards was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1996.