There’s a massive difference between the Richmond that Craig McRae left at the end of 2009 after three years as a development coach, and the Club he’s returned to now in the capacity of VFL coach.
The Tigers had finished second last in the ’09 season, with just five wins and a draw, were in heavy financial debt, and had sub-standard facilities.
Today, Richmond is coming off a third consecutive finals campaign, it has no debt, record membership, and first-class facilities.
“It’s exciting to get back, put the colors back on,” McRae told ‘Roar Vision’.
“There’s a lot of change . . . Six years ago, Jack Riewoldt, ‘Cotch’ (Trent Cotchin) and these guys were just starting and we were all in the old facilities, fighting possums and the like.
“You come in now and we’ve got everything you’d ever need. It’s awesome.”
McRae was out of contract at Collingwood, after five years as its development manager, when he decided to apply for the Richmond VFL coaching position vacated by Tim Clarke, who has moved to Carlton as an assistant coach.
“I had an opportunity to move here and I jumped at it,” he said.
“It’s exciting . . . (being involved with) recruiting and having staff around you . . .
“I’m really looking forward to getting the development of the young players right and giving them good opportunities to be part of success.
“I don’t know too much about some of the guys on the list, but speaking to ‘Dimma’ (senior coach Damien Hardwick), he’s really excited about the last (national) draft (2014).
“I think there’s a good culture building here and it’s good to get on the train.”
Richmond’s VFL team starts pre-season training next Wednesday, so it’s full steam ahead for McRae.
“There are 45 guys starting training . . . We’ll build relationships pretty quickly and go from there,” he said.
Most of McRae’s time back at Tigerland to this stage has been devoted to recruiting players for the VFL team.
“We’re heavily into a recruiting phase,” he said.
“We’re trying to turn the list over at the VFL level, to get the right mix of players in that are motivated and hungry to be better.”
