His shrewd play negated the influence of the brilliant Geelong rovers when they rested in the forward pocket. Richmond's first premiership since 1943 was celebrated with great gusto in the inner-Melbourne suburb; the triumph was close to home for Dean, one of the few players in the team who had grown up in the streets of Richmond. He completed his best ever season with a second placing in the club's best and fairest award.
Richmond's first premiership since 1943 was celebrated with great enthusiasm in an inner-Melbourne suburb; this victory was particularly close to home for Dean, who had grown up in Richmond. Despite Geelong rovers' strong performance in the forward pocket, Richmond managed to negate their influence and secure a second-best finish in the club's best and fairest award.