Assistant coach Justin Leppitsch, who led Richmond’s forward line in 2017 and 2018, will move down to the other end of the field in 2019 and take back responsibility of the backline.
Leppitsch is no stranger to the backline, having enjoyed a successful career as a triple-premiership defender with the Brisbane Lions.
He also previously coached the Tiger backs for four seasons, from 2010 to 2013.
“It’s been a pretty good change, I haven’t done [this role] for a few years, maybe 5 or 6 seasons, so there’s a fair bit to go over but I’m really enjoying it… it’s a really experienced group of guys, an All Australian quality defence,” Leppitsch said.
“It's more about keeping together the good work that’s already been done and hopefully continue it on with an experienced group.”
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Leppitsch’s move back into the backline will reunite him with fellow star defender Alex Rance, who he worked closely with during his first stint coaching Richmond’s defence.
“Last time I worked with Alex, I used to teach him a lot and now he’s teaching the group,” he said.
“He does a lot of the leadership work himself and drives a lot of the stuff in the defence, with Dylan Grimes, Dave Astbury and Nick Vlaustin.
“He’s gone from the boy from when I coached him last time, to the leader this time.”
Following Richmond’s loss to Collingwood in the 2018 preliminary final, next year’s defence will be sticking to the methods that got them to that point, rather than reinventing the wheel.
“A lot of our focus as defenders, has always been our contested part of the game and making sure we’re doing that well and not getting beaten, I think that’s first and foremost,” Leppitsch said.
“Apart from that, how we use the ball is going to be really important, making sure we don’t give it back to the opposition too easy.”
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The three-week pre-Christmas training block has marked an opportunity for Richmond’s younger backs to make advances ahead of the 2019 season.
“For experienced guys, it’s about getting them up to peak fitness. For younger players, it’s where they can make great gains, whether that be in the gym or with endurance and speed, and get to next season being a better player,” Leppitsch said.
“Guys in the back end of the careers, they use it more as maintenance and a way to prepare for the season, whereas younger players can really use it as a way to improve and get bigger, stronger bodies and show a different player next season.”
