Richmond President John O’Rourke has provided the following President's Report for the Club's Concise Annual Report for the year ended 31 October 2023.
There is no hiding from the fact that 2023 was a challenging year for our Club on many levels.
The departure of senior coach Damien Hardwick mid-season, injuries to key players and retirements of Club champions all contributed to the emotional roller coaster that was the AFLM season. Our AFLW season started with so much promise but was ultimately disappointing to miss the finals.
The bottom line is that we are in the business of winning, and we have some work to do to ensure we are highly competitive, and contending when it matters most.
Our men's program has experienced significant change in the past 12 months, including the appointment of our new senior coach Adem Yze. With that change comes a real sense of rejuvenation. I think we can collectively look forward to what lies ahead. This Club is up for the fight.
Throughout 2023, we again enjoyed magnificent support from our Tiger Army. Make no mistake, our members and supporters are incredibly important, and we are so proud of your unwavering support. To reach 100,000 members for an astonishing sixth consecutive season was a great effort.
I would like to acknowledge Tim Taranto who claimed the Jack Dyer Medal in his first season at Richmond. It was a fitting reward for what was undoubtedly one of the best starts to a career in our Club's history.
Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton also had terrific seasons which resulted in them receiving the Jack Titus and Maurie Fleming medals for second and third place. What a privilege it is to have players of their talent at our Club.
The Jack Dyer Medal event also provided a fitting final farewell for two absolute legends of Richmond, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt. Trent and Jack's contribution to the Club has been enormous and it was celebrated accordingly. Thank you to our supporters for giving them the farewells that they so richly deserved.
In a season that included Trent's 300th game and Jack's 12th Michael Roach Medal as our leading goalkicker, we were given many opportunities to acknowledge the two of them as among the all time greats of our Club. Their final lap of the MCG after their last game against North Melbourne was an iconic moment that will live long in the memories of Tiger fans, young and old.
Earlier in the year, Jason Castagna also announced his retirement. As a triple-premiership player, we cannot thank him enough for what he gave our Club. Externally he may have been underrated, but internally we understood the incredibly valuable role he played.
At the other end of the scale, we continue to regenerate. Six players debuted in 2023 - Tylar Young, Sam Banks, Jacob Bauer, Matthew Coulthard, James Trezise and Tom Brown - and each gave us an exciting glimpse of the future. We have high quality young talent coming through and we look forward to watching their careers unfold.
Ivan Soldo departed the Club during the trade period, moving to Port Adelaide. We thank Ivan for his 10 years of service to the football club and wish him all the best. He will be remembered as a premiership player, and he will, of course, always be a Richmond Man. I would also like to acknowledge departing players Robbie Tarrant, Bigoa Nyuon, and Kaelan Bradtke and wish them well for whatever comes next.
In May we accepted the resignation of our triple-premiership-winning and games-record-holding coach Damien Hardwick. Our appreciation for Damien is profound, and we will be forever grateful for the instrumental role he played in delivering our recent success.
The Club appointed Adem Yze as our new senior coach in September, and he arrives ready for the journey ahead. Tactically astute and someone who builds great relationships, we look forward to seeing him get to work with our players.
Our coaching department will look different with the departures of Andrew McQualter and Xavier Clarke during the off-season. Both made significant contributions to our Club, and we thank them and wish them well in their new roles.
Chris Newman and Jack Ziebell have joined the club's coaching panel. A former Richmond captain and hall of fame member, Chris' credentials speak for themselves on and off the field. Jack begins his full-time coaching career with a wealth of on-field experience, much of it as captain. Both are great football people, and they will undoubtedly add significantly to our coaching mix.
The trade period has just concluded, and we were delighted to welcome Jacob Koschitzke and Sam Naismith to the Club. Importantly, we also strengthened our draft hand this year and in 2024.
Our AFLW team finished the season strongly with a comprehensive win over Collingwood, our greatest winning margin ever in the competition. Injuries to key players had a significant impact on the season but to finish so strongly gives us something to build on in 2024.
I congratulate Katie Brennan for her leadership across another brilliant season as captain, in which she topped our goalkicking. I also commend our coach Ryan Ferguson, who continues to lead the team with great care and tactical nous.
Eilish Sheerin and Monique Conti were named in the All-Australian squad, which is deserved reward for their excellent seasons. Emelia Yassir was nominated for the Rising Star Award which was wonderful recognition for the bright start she has made to her AFLW career.
We also had a chance to blood new players with Richmond debuts for Caitlin Greiser, Courtney Jones, Molly Eastman, Charli Wicksteed, and Amelia Peck, and all have exciting futures.
Our Victorian Wheelchair Football team had a successful season, making Grand Finals at both the senior and community levels. Unfortunately, we did not get the result on the day, but everyone involved with the program should be very proud of their achievements.
Off-field, the Club reported a modest operating surplus for the year ended 31 October 2023, prior to fundraising for the Punt Road redevelopment project. Tina De Young, the chair of our Finance, Audit, and Investments Committee, will provide more detail in her report to members (Page 6 - 2023 Concise Financial Report).
While this is a solid result in the circumstances given the AFLM draw had a reduced number of blockbuster home games, it underlines the marginal nature of our business, given this profit was generated from a revenue base of $106 million.
With economic conditions tightening and cost of living pressures beginning to bite, the Board and management understand the importance of prudent financial management now and into the future. It again highlights the importance of our membership base to the Club's financial health. If you can do one thing for your Club, please renew your membership, or become a member, in 2024.
The redevelopment of Punt Road Oval is one of the most significant undertakings in the history of our Club. It will be our legacy for generations to come and keep our Club strong and bold long into the future.
Funding this redevelopment is a significant challenge in the current environment. Support from Government - both Federal and State - and some very generous donations from our high-net-worth supporters have been very much appreciated. But we will need the support of our members and supporters to bring this redevelopment to life.
A fundraising campaign will commence early in the new year, and any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated. When the Tiger Army mobilises, nothing gets in our way, and I look forward to the day we can collectively celebrate delivering this Club such an important facility.
Speaking of fundraising, the Club was incredibly proud to announce it had raised $222,582 for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation in 2023. Thanks to the support of our members and supporters, the Club has now raised just under $1.9 million for the AMF since establishing our preferred charity partnership 12 years ago. The entire Tiger Army should be very proud of the role they are playing to help protect children from violence and bullying.
Our community work is industry leading, and I particularly want to acknowledge the work of the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) and the Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF). Youth are the future, and both the KGI and BHF do wonderful work developing the next generation of community leaders.
Appreciation
- Thank you to our joint major partner nib who has extended its partnership with the Club for a further four years, out to at least the end of 2027. nib's partnership extends across both the Club's AFL & AFLW programs, as well as the KGI. We are very thankful for all of nib's incredible support and look forward to many shared successes ahead.
- Thank you also to co-major partner Latitude Financial. While a relatively new relationship, this is a partnership that will flourish into the future, and we thank Latitude Financial for its support, and we look forward to continuing to prosper together.
- Thanks to AG Coombs - a long-term and highly valued partner across various areas of the Club. In particular, we thank them for their important support of the AFLW program and the Korin Gamadji Institute.
- Thank you to our other valued partners including KFC, Swinburne University of Technology, PUMA, Hostplus, National Storage, Milwaukee, Furphy, Motorola, Fulton Hogan, Johnson Earthmoving, JR Group, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Crypto.com, Jim Beam & Comwire IT as well as our official suppliers.
- Thank you to our community partners including Midsumma Festival, First People's Health and Wellbeing, Culture is Life, Ngali, Wukalina Walk, National Indigenous Australians Agency, Plenary, Victorian Electoral Commission, Treaty for Victoria, VicHealth, Lendlease, Pinnacle Fire and the Australian Defence Force. These partnerships underpin and guide our important community work.
- Our coterie groups continue to show enormous support to our Club. Thanks to the Jack's Club, Legends Club, Richmond Executive Club, Club XIII and 3121. Your contribution is never taken for granted.
- The Cheer Squad and our supporter groups including the Tommy Hafey Club, Former Players and Officials and Club 80 continue to drive the Tiger Army. Your passion and commitment from all around the country is simply wonderful.
- On behalf of the board, I would like to thank CEO Brendon Gale, the entire administration, and staff for everything that they do to make our Club the best version of itself for our members and supporters.
- Lastly, I say thanks to my fellow Directors for their tireless work and commitment to our Club. I am also pleased to announce that Kate Palmer and Joe Powell will be continuing in 2024, with both re-elected to the Board unopposed.
Again, I reiterate how grateful we are for the extraordinary support of our members. I know you will continue to provide our players and new coach Adem Yze outstanding support as we embark on writing the next chapter of this Club's history.
John O’Rourke
President
Richmond Football Club
