BIO

Richard Anderson joined Norwood for pre-season training in 1985, having played for the Adelaide University Football Club in the South Australian Amateur Football League over the previous three years. However, after gaining employment in Port Pirie as a teacher, he joined the Solomontown Football Club, eventually tying for the 1985 best and fairest medal in the Spencer Gulf League.
 
Anderson returned to Adelaide in 1986 and made his first senior appearance for the Redlegs in the Escort Cup against Port Adelaide. Initially playing as a rover, he made an immediate impact on Norwood supporters in his debut year. Possessing blistering speed and clean ball-handling skills, he finished fourth in the Club Champion award, and was generally acclaimed by the media as the best first year player in the SANFL for 1986.
 
At the end of the 1986 season Richmond selected Anderson at pick number 4 in the national draft. However he chose to continue his teaching commitments and returned to play for the Solomontown in 1987. He again won the Madigan Medal as the best player in the Spencer Gulf League.
 
Back at Norwood in 1988, Anderson had an outstanding year. He played 28 games for the season, was named Club Champion and represented South Australia in its win over Western Australia.
 
Sadly, his career was cut short due to persistent back-related injuries, and he retired after managing only two more senior games in 1989.

R Cialini Nov 2015