Richmond CEO Brendon Gale says Neil Balme will bring extensive experience and a highly-regarded skill set to his new role as the Club’s General Manager – Football.

On Monday the Tigers announced Balme, an experienced administrator and Richmond premiership player, would take on the position following a full review of the Club’s football department.

Gale was delighted to have secured Balme’s services, after approaching him in the final rounds of the 2016 AFL home and away season.

“This has been a while in the making, we’ve been open in saying we’ve been reviewing all aspects of our operations and that was presented to the Board in August,” Gale told 3AW’s Sports Today program.

“Out of that, we identified a need to bring someone in of really strong experience and judgement to head up our footy program.

“Around the same time the jungle drums were beating about ‘Gubby’ Allan’s potential role at Collingwood, and at that point I thought it was just worth reaching out to Balmey and seeing where he stood in relation to that.

“It’s been a while in the making but we’re pleased to get it done and excited…”