Six members of Richmond’s 2019 premiership team and a long-time, key Club official have become the latest recipients of life membership at Tigerland.
Jayden Short, Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, Liam Baker, Ivan Soldo and Marlion Pickett, along with former recruiting manager and now recruiting officer, Francis Jackson, were awarded Richmond life membership at the Club’s 2019 Annual General Meeting this evening.
Short, who was the Tigers’ first selection (No. 11 overall) in the 2015 AFL rookie draft, made his senior league debut with the Club in 2016. He played 15 games throughout the 2019 season, taking his overall tally at Richmond to 71.
Bolton, the Tigers’ first pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2016 AFL national draft, made his senior debut in 2017. He played 19 games in season 2019, taking his overall tally at Tigerland to 28.
Lynch played all 25 games for Richmond in the 2019 season after joining the Club from Gold Coast as a restricted free agent. He won the Michael Roach Medal as the Tigers’ leading goalkicker for the season with 63 goals.
Baker, who was Richmond’s first selection in the 2018 AFL rookie draft, made his senior league debut during the 2018 season. He played 19 games in season 2019 for a total of 22.
Soldo, pick five for the Tigers in the 2015 rookie draft (No. 68 overall), made his AFL debut in 2017. He played 19 games this year for a total of 22.
Pickett, recruited by Richmond in the AFL’s mid-season rookie draft this year, was a shock selection in the Tigers’ Grand Final team as a replacement for injured midfielder Jack Graham. He produced a superb debut performance at the game’s highest level that earned him four votes in the Norm Smith Medal polling.
Jackson played six senior games for Richmond in 1973-74 and was a member of the Club’s 1973 reserve-grade premiership. He was part of the much-publicised swap deal for South Melbourne star John Pitura during the 1975 season and subsequently developed into a top-line player with the Swans.
Three decades later, Jackson took over the recruiting reins at Richmond, and he went on to play a pivotal role in the Club’s drought-breaking 2017 premiership. Sixteen members of that premiership team were recruited by Jackson, as well as Short, Bolton and Soldo from this year’s flag side.
