With Richmond preparing to play Port Adelaide in its final NAB Challenge match, as a lead-in to the 2016 season, Tony Greenberg takes a look at the powerful connection between the Tigers and the Croweaters (as distinct from the Crows).
South Australia is renowned for producing fine wines, seafood and pie floaters (an interesting concoction of a pie, usually served upside down, submerged in a bowl of thick pea soup) . . .
It’s now time, however, that the Croweaters were recognised for something else on their production line . . . Richmond coaches and players.
Currently, there are a combined 13 members of the coaching and playing groups at Tigerland that, at some stage in their football careers, called SA home.
The list of those Croweaters (albeit some only temporary ones), who are now striving to help the Tigers achieve sustained success is:
Damien Hardwick (Richmond’s senior coach)
Joined Port Adelaide following a successful 153-game playing career in eight years at Essendon. Went on to play 54 games over three seasons with the Power and was a member of their inaugural AFL premiership side in 2004.
Brendon Lade (Richmond assistant coach)
Had a stellar career with Port Adelaide in the AFL. Played 234 games for the Power, including the historic ’04 Grand Final triumph, won their Best and Fairest award in 2006, and gained All-Australian selection twice (2006 and 2007).
Ben Rutten (Richmond assistant coach)
Played 229 games in 12 seasons for the Adelaide Crows after being recruited from SANFL club West Adelaide. Earned a reputation as one of the competition’s best key defenders, and was selected in the 2005 All-Australian side.
Greg Mellor (Richmond assistant coach)
Was an excellent contributor for SANFL club West Adelaide in a 198-game playing career over 13 seasons. Captained West Adelaide from 1997-2001 and won the club’s leading goalkicker award in 1991 with 53 goals. Following his retirement as a player, he served as an assistant coach to Andy Collins at West Adelaide, and then spent three years as head coach of the club’s Centre of Excellence.
Mark ‘Choco’ Williams (Senior Richmond development coach)
Was a star player in the SANFL initially for West Adelaide and then Port Adelaide, before enjoying a fine league football career with Collingwood and later Brisbane. Subsequently started his coaching career with Glenelg in the SANFL. Had two years as Glenelg’s coach and then was appointed assistant coach to John Cahill with Port Adelaide’s fledgling AFL team. Took over from Cahill as Port’s senior coach at the end of the 1998 season and etched his name into football immortality with the Power, guiding them to their inaugural AFL premiership in 2004. Coached Port in 274 games all-up, from 1999-2010.
Ryan Ferguson (Richmond development coach)
Joined SANFL club West Adelaide after a five-year stint with Melbourne in the AFL. Played 91 games in six seasons for West Adelaide. Was captain of the club for five of those seasons and won three best and fairests during his time there.
Craig McRae (Richmond’s VFL coach)
Had two seasons at senior level with SANFL club Glenelg, playing 41 games and kicking 59 goals, before being drafted by the Brisbane Lions.
Ivan Maric (Richmond’s No. 1 ruckman and vice-captain)
Played 77 games in six seasons with the Adelaide Crows, and was then traded to Richmond.
Troy Chaplin (Richmond key defender)
Was a valuable contributor for Port Adelaide’s AFL team in a 140-game career over nine seasons, from 2004-12, before joining the Tigers as a restricted free agent. A member of the Power’s 2007 Grand Final team.
Andrew Moore (Richmond midfielder)
Taken by Port Adelaide with its first pick (No. 9 overall) in the 2009 National Draft. Played 55 games during a six-season career at Port from 2010-15. Was recruited by Richmond as a delisted free agent late last year.
Shane Edwards (Richmond medium forward/midfielder)
Worked his way through the ranks at SANFL club North Adelaide, and made it into senior ranks there as a teenager, before being drafted by Richmond.
Steven Morris (Richmond small defender)
Played 78 games in four seasons at SANFL club West Adelaide. Won West Adelaide’s best and fairest in 2011 and then joined Richmond at the end of that year.
Oleg Markov (Richmond’s second selection in last year’s National Draft)
The exciting young prospect forced his way into the senior line-up at SANFL club North Adelaide last season and was later snapped up by the Tigers in the National Draft.
