We conclude our special pre-season series on the grand journey from Punt Road Oval to the ME Bank Centre, with a look at how the iconic ground is shaping up today.
The next exciting phase in the rich history of the Punt Road Oval at the ME Bank Centre is about to transpire.
Big-time football will be back at the famous ground from this season on, with Richmond’s new standalone VFL team playing its home games there.
The Tigers launched their VFL team at the ME Bank Centre last December, confirming plans to play games at their home base in 2014 after ending a 12-year alignment with Coburg.
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At the launch, Club CEO Brendon Gale outlined the importance of having a standalone VFL team . . .
“We recognised a long time ago that it was critical for Richmond to have its own VFL team, to fast-track the development of our young players,” Gale said.
“We were able to achieve that goal thanks to the wonderful contributions of our FTF (Fighting Tiger Fund) contributors. Importantly, our improved business performance has also enabled us to commit to important football decision such as this.
“Bringing our VFL team home to play games at our iconic home base was a huge focus for us, and we will be working hard over the next few months to complete work on the interface around the oval, to give our fans the opportunity watch games at Punt Road Oval, at the ME Bank Centre . . .
“This decision was based on strategy . . . we felt it wasn’t good enough to simply expect our coaches to develop our players as quickly as possible.
“We needed to give them an environment where they could coach effectively and develop players to their full potential.
“That was getting control of our talent pathway and, ultimately, getting control of our reserves.
“By not doing so, we were effectively outsourcing the development of our people and our players, who are perhaps our greatest asset.”
Richmond’s new VFL team will play nine home games at the ME Bank Centre in season 2014, with seven of them as curtain-raisers to the AFL side’s MCG fixtures.
The first match to be played at the Tigers’ home will be against Williamstown on Saturday, April 19 (Easter weekend).
In the meantime, the redevelopment of the interface and facilities at the ME Bank Centre is well underway. Works started late last month and are expected to be completed by early April.
The redevelopment includes installation of new scoreboards, crowd barriers, provision of toilets and amenities, fit-out of kiosk, medical rooms, coaches meeting room, coaches and stats box and replacement of the memorial pavers.
Contractor, Rouboix, will also upgrade the historic Jack Dyer Stand, so that it can accommodate patrons on match-day.
Richmond’s AFL team is playing Essendon in a practice match at the ME Bank Centre, on Friday, March 7 at 1pm. Ticketing details will be available soon.
The Tigers’ VFL playing squad for 2014 includes former Melbourne star Aaron Davey, who has accepted an on-field coaching and mentoring role. He also will have an involvement with the Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute.
Other players with AFL experience, who will line up for the team this season, are Ed Barlow (ex-Sydney and Western Bulldogs utility), Andrew McQualter (former St Kilda and Gold Coast midfielder, now a Richmond development coach), and Ryan Bathie (ex-Geelong key-position player).
Ross Young, who won a Sandover Medal, while playing in the WAFL with Perth, will be the inaugural captain of the new Richmond VFL team.
The coach is Tim Clarke, who was in charge of Coburg in the final season of its alignment with Richmond last year. Clarke also is a development coach at Richmond.
