Lachlan Street will lead Richmond’s VFL side again for the 2024 season, supported by Joel Garner, Mutaz El Nour and Chad Harris.
Players voted on the leadership group during their pre-season training camp in Dromana last weekend, with head coach Steve Morris announcing that Lachlan Street would captain the side for a third consecutive season.
Street, a strong leader and a versatile footballer, will enter his sixth season at Richmond VFL in 2024.
He described being selected as captain for the third year as a “tremendous honour.”
“It’s an honour and a privilege obviously to be voted up again by you boys… it’s great to represent this club, represent his group, and this program,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to leading you boys this year and playing alongside you all.”
The 25-year-old earned the praise of Morris as the announcement was made in front of his teammates and coaching staff.
Endeared by his teammates as ‘Streeta’, Morris highlighted that “the love and care that you’ve got for this group is never questioned.”
“It’s never undervalued what you bring for this club, you’ve been an incredible support to me and our coaching staff over the last few years," Morris said.
A trio of Tigers will support Street as vice-captains; Mutaz El Nour, Joel Garner and Chad Harris.
Mutaz El Nour, entering his second year at the club, will form part of the leadership group for the first time.
El Nour, aged 22, has wasted no time in making an impact on the VFL program. Having joined the Club in 2023, the intercept defender has very quickly become a key pillar within the team.
“Since the second you walked into our footy club, you’ve set a really high standard for not only yourself but the players around you. It’s blown me away,” Morris said in front of the playing group and coaching staff.
Recruits Joel Garner and Chad Harris, both 24, will be a part of the leadership group after joining the team in late 2023.
With experience at AFL level with Port Adelaide Power, and VFL level with Footscray, Garner has a lot to offer the playing group as vice-captain.
Through his role as Indigenous Player Development Manager at Richmond, Garner has developed a strong presence at the club and become “loved within the AFL program.”
“Your training intensity is fantastic, but it’s the love and care that you show your teammates that really stands out," Morris said of Garner.
"We love what you’ve brought to the footy club thus far, and will continue to do."
The inside midfielder will also assume an off-field VFL Development role, working closely with the coaching group throughout the 2024 season.
Chad Harris has been a welcome return to Richmond’s VFL program this year after spending two years with Subiaco in the WAFL.
Following an impressive season at the Club in 2019, the utility moved West to play for Subiaco after COVID forced the cancellation of the 2020 VFL season.
Harris would end up playing 43 games and being part of a premiership during his stint at Subiaco.
Morris testified to the impact that Harris has had on the playing group and his growth over the last few years.
“It’s been amazing seeing you grow as a person over the last few years," Morris said.
"I’m really proud to see what you’ve achieved over the last few years from afar, and to see you join our program again and have such an immediate impact has been excellent.”
