Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is delighted to be reuniting with his old mentor Mark Williams, who is joining the Tigers as a development coach.

Hardwick played 54 games at Port Adelaide under Williams’ coaching guidance, from 2002-04, and was a member of the Power’s inaugural premiership side in 2004.

Williams coached Port Adelaide from 1999-10, leading the club to that flag triumph and another Grand Final appearance in 2007.

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He has spent the past two years as senior assistant coach to Kevin Sheedy at AFL fledgling club Greater Western Sydney.

“He’s an outstanding developer of junior talent.  We’re very lucky to have him,” Hardwick said.

“You’ve only got to look at the way those GWS kids play.  They play hard, tough footy and that’s something we’re looking to bring to our younger brigade.

“He’ll be fully in charge of that 1-3-year program and we’ve got no doubt we’ll reap immediate dividends of having him on-board.”