Outgoing Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has spoken of his shock, and delight, with being inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame at a special function before last Saturday’s final match of the home-and-away season against Gold Coast at the MCG.

Gale was awarded the prestigious accolade for his illustrious 244-game playing career at Tigerland from 1990-2001, followed by a momentous 15-year stint as CEO from 2009-2014, leading the Club out of the football wilderness and into the promised land with three premierships.

Given Gale was recruited by Richmond in the 1987 national draft but didn’t play senior football for two years because of injuries and illness, the now 56-year-old has spent more than half his life with the Tigers.

“It was a great honour. I had no idea . . . I was completely taken by surprise,” Gale said on this week’s episode of the Club’s Talking Tigers podcast.

“I was given the opportunity to say goodbye to a lot of people at my last official match day and thank a lot of people who have been part of the journey.

“A lot of those people were in the room . . . former players and administrators. And all my family were there.

“We haven’t had a whole lot to celebrate this year, but that was a wonderful opportunity the Club gave me.

“To be given that, the Hall of Fame, a minute before getting up on stage, I was really taken aback.

“They kept it a secret. Normally I have run-sheet meetings before every function, but they kept me out of that. So, I knew they were up to something, but not that.

“You look around the room, you see a who’s who . . . I just feel like a bit of an impostor, to be honest.

“Anyway, it’s a thrill. Richmond has been an incredible part of my life, and will continue to be a massive part of my life . . . I’m a Tiger for life.

“Even in Tasmania, there will be a massive part of Richmond in my heart.

“I’m looking forward to coming to the footy and seeing how they progress.”