Richmond’s coaching ‘Immortal’, Tommy Hafey, gave a special address to the Club’s young playing group this morning (Thursday, March 21).
The four-time Richmond premiership coach and Tigers’ Team of the Century coach spoke to the 1-3 year players for about an hour in the GR Room at the ME Bank Centre, Punt Road Oval.
Hafey was introduced to the group by second-year player, Steven Morris, son of former Tiger, Kevin Morris, who played in two premiership sides at Richmond under the coaching guidance of the man affectionately known as “T-shirt Tommy”.
The super-fit 81-year-old emphasised the importance of team over individual, being a “doer”, and getting the utmost out of yourself.
He used great Tigers of old such as Royce Hart, Kevin Sheedy and Francis Bourke as shining examples to the Club’s current young group.
Another of his protégés, Mark “Choco” Williams, now a Richmond development coach, following an illustrious league playing and coaching career, listened intently to his old mentor.