The anxious wait was over for the pair, delisted at the end of season 2012 by Melbourne and Essendon respectively. They had found a new league football home . . . and it just happened to be at the club they’d both supported growing up.
“It’s a very proud club and they’ve worked very hard over the last few years, and the direction they’re going in is something that I want to be part of,” Lonergan said.
“To get this opportunity now has been outstanding, and it’s all full steam ahead to play some good footy for this club.
“It’s a fresh start and the hardest thing now is for me to gain the trust of my new teammates. So, for the next three months that’s my biggest aim - to work hard and get those guys on-side and give them the belief that I can give something . . .
“For me, it’s (about) finding my feet and bringing contested footy, and trying to help out as much as I can, to as many different players as I can . . . Day one today, and really looking forward to what’s ahead.”
For Petterd, the months after he was delisted by the Demons were filled with fitness training and rehabilitation from the Achilles surgery he had in August.
He kept his eye on the prize of getting a second AFL chance, and appears in good shape to take the one given to him by Richmond, with the operation proving a success so far.
“In the first few weeks, I spent the whole time getting my body right, so then I could start training,” Petterd said.
“I’ve had a couple of good mates who are personal trainers and fitness fanatics, so they’ve been taking me training, which is great.
“When you get delisted from a club, you’ve got a lot to prove and that’s what I wanted to do . . .
''I haven't felt this good in two years and, running-wise, I'm pulling up really good.”
