Dear Members and Supporters,

Writing my final column as President of this Club, I find myself reflecting on how much we have achieved in the past decade. I do so with an enormous sense of pride.

And I say “we” because it is the collective that has delivered so much. And it is the collective that will do so into the future. Sustained success is built on these foundations.

This game we play, this Club we love, is in a state of perpetual motion. All of us – board members, players and staff, members and supporters – are part of it for a moment in time and we all aim to leave it in better shape than we found it for future generations.

The collective commitment is the foundation which has delivered AFL premierships, an excellent AFLW program, a strong business and a diverse and inclusive football club that engenders a sense of belonging among all who are a part of it.

The role of the powerful Tiger Army has been profound and will continue to be our source of strength.

Our surge in membership enabled our Club to invest in football so we could compete and win. All of you stood with us through the Covid pandemic and the uncertain 2020 and 2021 seasons. You members protect the Club, and inspire those within it.  

If you can, please continue to purchase a membership and help keep us financially sound.

I want to acknowledge John O’Rourke who will be taking over the role of President following the 19 December AGM.

John is a highly experienced director and has been on our board since 2015. John has outstanding business acumen and I know that he will do a wonderful job. With his background in developing major projects around the world, he will bring expertise of particular importance as we get the Punt Road redevelopment underway.

John will of course be supported by a passionate, talented and committed Board of directors that want to see this Club continue to thrive on and off the field.

It is most pleasing that John’s move to the presidency - and the evolution of the Board more broadly in recent times – has been managed with a minimum of fuss. We value stability and I would hope this continues to be the “Richmond way” long into the future.

Some questions have been sent to the Club recently that I am happy to address.

The first question asks what progress the Club has made in convincing the AFL to schedule all Richmond home games at the MCG?

The Club always requests its home games be played at the MCG. Unfortunately, due to the vagaries of the fixture, and the need to meet contractual requirements at Marvel Stadium, the AFL has been unable to deliver our desired outcome. Rest assured the Club will continue to request that all its home games be played at the MCG.

The second question asks if the Board would consider running its AGM late mornings, instead of in the evenings, in-line with top-listed ASX organisations?

We hold our Annual General Meetings in the early evening as we believe it gives us the best chance of getting as many members as possible to attend in person. It is an important night on the Club’s calendar, and an evening event makes it more accessible. It will be a hybrid meeting this year and we hope that many members will join us online as they have in 2020 and 2021 when we couldn't gather in person.

A third question asked if the Club website could include our executive team and each of their backgrounds?

I think that is something we could certainly include on the website. We will action this in the New Year.

We have also been asked to provide an update on the Punt Road Oval redevelopment. 

Pleasingly, we have now been issued a planning permit to allow us to proceed with the development of this business critical infrastructure.

Design is complete and the project has been put out to tender. We expect that process to be finalised in the second quarter next year.

We continue to build on the generous support we have received from the Federal and State governments to fund the project.

We have had a number of very generous donations and the Club has also committed to investing some of its cash reserves into the project. The final Club contribution will be dependent on fundraising and the total cost.

Before I finish, I would like to acknowledge the support of all those that have served on the Board during my tenure. I thank each of them for their contribution to making the Club what it is today.

I would also like to thank CEO Brendon Gale, the staff, coaches and players for their dedication to making the Club the best organisation on and off the field.

I have been honoured to serve as your president for the past nine years.  I have had a wonderful time and I hope that you have too.  Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to tell me your stories about what the Club means to you; I enjoyed them all.

Finally, it is farewell, not goodbye. I look forward to seeing you all at the football.

Go Tiges!

Peggy O'Neal
President
Richmond Football Club