vfl.com.au talk to Richmond coach Craig McRae about the team’s upcoming Peter Jackson VFL season.
2017 FINISH: Runner-up (14-8)
2017 BEST AND FAIREST: 1. Anthony Miles / 2. Jake Batchelor / 3. Jacob Ballard
2017 TEAM OF THE YEAR: Jacob Ballard
2017 DRAFTEES: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith (Category B rookie signing to Richmond)
2018 SEASON START: vs Port Melbourne # (Saturday April 7) / BYE (April 14-15) / Casey Demons (Sunday April 22)
# The 2018 season opener vs Port Melbourne will be live video streamed via VFL.com.au
KEY DEPARTURE
Sam Darley (34 games for club in 2016-17, club captain in 2016-17): “Sam was fantastic for us, helping build our culture and leading the standards, so he’ll be sorely missed. We wish him well as he heads to North Shore (Geelong FL) as a playing coach.”
KEY RECRUITS
Steven Morris (from Richmond AFL): “Steve is a huge addition to our squad. He’s an ex-Richmond AFL-listed player (87 AFL games from 2012-17) and is such a great leader, so he’ll captain the club this year.”
Blake Grewar (Brisbane AFL): “Blake was a rookie-listed player with the Lions (for one season in 2017) and has been one of the best players in the NEAFL over the last couple of seasons. He’ll join us as an inside midfielder.”
Charlie Thompson (Oakleigh Chargers): “I think Charlie will play a lot of football for us this year. He’s an inside midfielder with a great attitude and work ethic.”
PRE-SEASON PERFORMER
Jake Aarts: “Jake has been around a little while (33 VFL games for club from 2015-17) and has really stood up and had a sensational pre-season. He looks ready to be a serious player in the competition.”
LEADERSHIP MATERIAL
“Steve Morris will be our captain, with four others in the leadership group: Tom Silvestro, Jacob Ballard, Jake Aarts and Hugh Beasley. They all got voted in by their peers and Steve was the overwhelming choice for captain. We think we have great leadership with that group.”
BREAK-OUT CANDIDATES
“Tom Silvestro continues to lead the way on the track and he’s one in a bunch of young guys that are really hungry to push our standards. James Fletcher has had a great pre-season and we’ll play him as a half back/wing this year, while Shaun Mannaghplayed some games as a 23rd player last year and looks like he’ll step up and become a regular for us as an inside midfielder.”
WHAT TO EXPECT
“We had a lot of experience in the team throughout last year and we’ve lost a lot of that with the likes of Taylor Hunt and Jake Batchelor no longer on Richmond’s AFL list, but we also have seven first-year AFL-listed players who have come in and will provide youthful enthusiasm and give us a whole different dynamic.”
ASSISTANT COACHING PANEL
Backs assistant coach: Ryan Ferguson (retained from 2017)
Midfield assistant coach: Xavier Clarke (retained from 2017)
Forwards assistant coach: Paul Griffiths (from Shepparton Swans, formerly at Port Melbourne)
Coaching Coordinator: Mark Sophoulis (retained from 2017)
Opposition Analysis Coach: Stephen Gumley
