The VFL Tigers have finalised their coaching panel and the playing squad is starting to take shape ahead of season 2017.
Craig McRae returns as Richmond’s VFL and development coach, while Ryan Ferguson will again be responsible for the backline.
Former NT Thunder senior coach and ex-St Kilda and Brisbane Lions utility Xavier Clarke will take the reins from Andrew McQualter as midfield coach for the upcoming season.
McQualter was appointed as an assistant coach to Damien Hardwick and will be responsible for midfield stoppage and structure at AFL level.
Tom Hunter has taken over as forwards coach after having a midfield role in 2016, with Ben Waite assuming the position as VFL midfield stoppage coach.
Waite played for the VFL Tigers in 2014, then spent the past two seasons as a senior coach in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL).
Marc Sophoulis will continue in his position as VFL development coach.
While the coaching panel has been confirmed, the VFL squad is starting to take shape as the pre-season campaign heats up.
McRae currently has 38 players in his VFL squad, including 12 re-signed players from 2016.
Following a strong debut season for the VFL Tigers, former GWS Giant and Bulldog Sam Darley returns as captain.
Darley joins Jacob Ballard, Tom Langford, Jake Aarts, Tom Silvestro, Daniel Coffield, James Fletcher, Anthony Scott, Ash Morris, Matt Troutbeck, Antony Forato and Lachlan McKenzie as re-signed players for 2017.
Ryan Gale, Ryan Bathie, Tyson Kruse, Jonathan Daggian and Jack Holden have returned to Punt Road Oval as part of the pre-season squad.
Best on ground in the 2016 Peninsula Football League grand final, Brenton Credlin, is training with the VFL Tigers after spending last season with Frankston YCW.
Former Frankston forward Jayden Cass and ex-Dandenong Stingray and Vic Country representative Thomas Jok are also vying for a spot on the list, alongside North Albury’s Shaun Mannagh, 19, and West Coburg’s Danko Bzenic, 21.
The Tigers’ VFL list of 24 players will be finalised in March.
Click here to view the 2017 VFL fixture.
2017 Richmond VFL coaches and staff
VFL Coach – Craig McRae
Forwards Coach – Tom Hunter
Midfield Coach – Xavier Clarke
Backline Coach - Ryan Ferguson
Midfield Stoppage Coach – Ben Waite
Development Coach – Marc Sophoulis
Football Operations Manager – Daniel Hull
VFL High Performance Manager – Tim Green
Fitness assistants – Dene Rodger, Gerald Henrisson, Daniella Mandie
Technology, Video and Statistical Analyst – Oliver Grant
Doctor – Sachin Khullar
Physiotherapist – James Rance
Team Manager - Stephen Gumley
Property Steward - Gary Allen
Head Trainer - Wayne Collier
