Veteran Richmond star key forward Jack Riewoldt has strongly endorsed the changes the Club made to its coaching group during the off-season.

The Tigers regained the services of Justin Leppitsch, who had spent the past couple of years as Brisbane’s senior coach, appointed highly-respected, long-time, AFL assistant coach Blake Caracella to their coaching panel, and acquired sought-after, former St Kilda and Brisbane player Xavier Clarke as a development coach.

“It’s (the coaching changes) something that the football club identified,” Riewoldt said on RSN.

“We’ve obviously got ‘Leppa’ (Justin Leppitsch) back.  So, getting another senior coach, basically back into your ranks, is really important and strong for us. 

“But also, the likes of Blake Caracella, who’s been around a really successful environment at the football clubs he’s been to.  And he’s had a lot to do with Neil Balme (Richmond’s new General Manager – Football) . . .

“And then also getting X. (Xavier) Clarke as well from up north in Darwin . . . He’s been coaching the Northern Territory (Thunder) up there.

“So, again, senior experience is something that’s really good for us, and something that will help us going forward.”