AFLW Bunjil winner Bec Miller with Sarah and Jess Hosking, Sarah D'Arcy and students from the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School at Tuesday's lunch.

Richmond has recognised the people that best embody the Club’s values across the playing groups and staff at its annual Bunjil lunch.

Celebrated annually as part of Dreamtime celebrations since 2014, the award notes the outstanding individuals who best display what it is to be a Richmond person.

AFL player Kane Lambert was voted by his peers and staff as the award recipient for an exceptional third time, with Tom Lynch and Jayden Short also receiving nominations.

Lambert was noted as an exceptional teammate and role model, with his work to help younger players, even while injured, an admired trait mentioned by voters.

Kane Lambert is congratulated by Korin Gamadji Institute Director, Aaron Clark​.

Popular defender Bec Miller received the AFLW honour, with last year’s winner Sarah Hosking and Gabby Seymour also celebrated by their peers.

Miller was described as disciplined and caring and as a teammate hungry to help everyone improve.

The Richmond Football Club’s top staff honour was given to its Creative Manager, Matthew Kelada and the Aligned Leisure staff award winner was Group Operation Manager, Simon Bryson.

Bunjil Award Recipients 2022:

AFL Player Award:

Finalists- Jayden Short, Tom Lynch.

Winner- Kane Lambert

Nominated for:

“Kane is always putting others and the club before himself even while facing some of his own challenges. Examples are, watching vision with younger players.

“Kane leads from the front in being the embodiment of our values. He is an exceptional person and role model.

“He is aware of his teammates and always looking to catch up with and help others.” 

 

AFLW Player Award:

Finalists- Sarah Hosking, Gabby Seymour

Winner- Bec Miller

Nominated for:

“Very disciplined with training, always checking in and challenging others.

“Bec continues to try and find ways to help me with things I was struggling with and is a great teammate.

“Bec met the challenge of having to stand up in an undermanned backline with resilience and confidence. She rose to the challenge with a great season, having put in all the work to put herself in a great position to be able to handle the situation.”

 

Richmond Staff Member:

Finalists- Samantha James (Accounts Officer), Ash Humphries (Head of Consumer Sale & Operations), Greg Kleyjans (AFL & AFLW Boxing and Grappling Coach).

Winner- Matthew Kelada (Creative Manager)

Nominated for:

“Matt has been incredible in his role for years. Now that his role has shifted more to leading and developing a team that has continued. 

“Matt is incredibly caring, knows his team very well and is aware of their needs. He has a great understanding of the business priorities and is always able to find a solution that meets everyone's needs.  He and his team are always happy to go over and above to help with design and video needs.

“I think that he always makes people feel welcomed in any space. He is also very good at his job and is a great leader within the club.”

 

Aligned Leisure Staff Member:

Finalists- Dean Jamieson (Cardinia), Jake Goddard (Albury-Wodonga), Bella Connell (Mildura), Andrea Jovev (Nillumbik).

Winner- Simon Bryson (Group Operations Manager)

Nominated for:

“Simon will put in as many hours as he's got, and then some more to ensure Aligned Leisure is best placed and all his staff are supported as they need.

“He connects with many staff members across all contracts regularly, and is always the first to acknowledge and praise a teammates success and hard work.”

Sir Doug Nicholls Round lunch at MITS

See photos from Richmond's annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round lunch at the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School boarding house on Tuesday, May 17, taken by Wayne Ludbey.
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