Richmond chairman John O’Rourke appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at several outgoing premiership players in the Tigers’ best and fairest awards on Tuesday night.
The club is preparing for an exodus of several stars, including Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Liam Baker and Jack Graham, after an embarrassing 2024 season.
Rioli is likely to end up on the Gold Coast, while Baker, Bolton and Graham are expected to head to Western Australia.
In a not-so-subtle speech, O’Rourke praised the loyalty of players who remained at the club, such as Nathan Broad.
“No matter what happens in the immediate exchange period, we know that we still have a very strong group of experience and leadership, with a group that still has a lot to offer on the field, but can make an equally strong contribution in establishing the standards and guiding our young players through this next phase of growth,” O’Rourke said.
“I could mention a dozen players we have in this category, but just as an example (and you probably won’t like me highlighting that), but how lucky are we to have players of Nathan Broad’s character?
“He’s a player who was recruited in an era of, well, immediate success at the club as a middle-aged player.
“I know that during this year, I’m sure he could have explored options to continue his career in his home state, or perhaps pursue more lucrative options with other clubs, but he decided to extend it for two more years.”
Richmond chairman John O’Rourke appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at several outgoing premiership players including Daniel Rioli (pictured).
Shai Bolton (pictured) also told the Tigers he wants a trade with WA; Yet to publicly nominate a preferred destination, the 25-year-old has been linked with Fremantle.
The Western Australian defender signed a two-year contract extension last month.
O’Rourke then went on to read Broad’s quote, which read: “No one really loved me when I was 22, but Richmond did.” “I am totally indebted to this club and I am looking to get us promoted again, which is exciting.”
O’Rourke finished by saying: ‘What a Richmond man. And I thought his optimism about the place this year was brilliant.”
The club president also expressed his support for coach Adem Yze after a dismal season.
“I want to make it very clear tonight that our board of directors is 100 percent behind Adem and the leaders of our football department, Blair Hartley and Tim Livingstone,” O’Rourke said.
‘They will now be given free air to own and put their stamp on the next generation of Richmond Football Club.
“I’m sure, in fact I know, that our fans truly share the excitement of the players who have emerged this year, the players who will return from long-term injury in 2025 and the many opportunities we can have to improve.” recruit new talent later this year.
The Richmond function was attended by Rioli, Bolton, Baker and Graham despite their desire to leave the club, in contrast to St Kilda’s stance on Josh Battle.
Battle was told he would not attend the Saints’ club championship function after signaling his intention to join Hawthorn.
While Graham may leave Richmond as a free agent, the Tigers will reach deals for Bolton, Baker and Rioli when the 10-day trade period opens on Monday.
Three of the four players wanting to leave Richmond finished in the top five best and fairest, won by Daniel Rioli (pictured)
The Tigers are understood to be considering Gold Coast’s pick six in the national draft in a deal for Rioli, who expressed his love for the club when collecting his club championship award.
“I love every single one of you in the room,” Rioli said.
Perth-born Baker, who served as Richmond premiership in 2019 and 2020, also expressed his gratitude to the club.
“I appreciate everything the club has done for me and my family over the years and this year… I can’t wait to support it and it will be fantastic to watch from afar,” he said.