It was an emotional, grateful Richmond coach Damien Hardwick who accepted life membership of the Club at a special function held at the Swinburne Centre, Punt Road Oval last Saturday.

The Tigers bestowed life membership upon 17 members of the 2017 premiership team (Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance, Jack Riewoldt, Shane Edwards and Dustin Martin already were life members) and coach Hardwick (along with eight past premiership players).

“It’s an enormous honour and privilege . . . To be part of the fabric of a footy club is something very, very special,” Hardwick said.

“This club has become so important to me, with the people involved . . .

“I get a little bit emotional speaking about it, but the way we really have become a family is so important to what we’ve achieved, but more importantly, what we’re about.

Life honour for premiership Tigers

“It’s a place I love, it’s become a part of me, and it’s certainly become a part of my family. I think we’re going to be Black and Yellow for the rest of our days . . .

“I thank the Club very much. It means a lot.”

Valuable veteran Shaun Grigg and five-game ‘boy wonder’ Jack Graham accepted the life membership accolade on behalf of the 2017 premiership team.

Here’s what they had to say . . .

Shaun Grigg

“It’s unbelievable.

“To achieve something special, all together, is a lifelong memory. To share it with so many mates is fantastic, rather than just notching it up with games.

“It’s great that we’re all awarded it and we appreciate it.

“It’ll be something that we’ll look back on and be grateful for, but I suppose it’s part of our journey now. We don’t see it as the finish, we see it as the start.”

Jack Graham

“It’s still surreal for me, really . . . it’s a dream come true.

“It’s so early into my career. Hopefully I can keep pushing forward.

“To friends, family and fans for their support – it really wouldn’t be done without you . . .

“As ‘Grigga’ (Shaun Grigg) said, it’s a journey and we can keep going forward.”