Richmond VFL premiership captain Steve Morris will again lead the VFL Tigers in 2020, after being voted in by his peers last week.
The 31-year-old who took over the role in 2018 has been a consistent performer for the VFL Tigers for several years, headlined by his outstanding performance in last season’s Grand Final.
WE’RE FROM TIGERLAND Join or renew as a 2020 Richmond member
New Richmond VFL coach Xavier Clarke said Morris played an important role on and off the field.
“You look at what he’s been able to achieve in his own work and pursuits and it’s a great example for all of the boys, especially being a VFL group,” he said.
“Steve’s someone that certainly holds our Richmond values high, and along with the rest of our leaders, helps to create the kind of standards that we want for both our AFL contracted and VFL boys.”
Joining Morris in the leadership group for a second consecutive season is 2019 VFL best and fairest winner Daniel Coffield, former AFL Lion Hugh Beasley and utility Brenton Credlin.
Clarke said it had been pleasing to watch Coffield grow into the leader and footballer he now was.
“It’s fantastic to see the work that he puts in, he was rewarded last year with the best and fairest and a Grand Final and it’s really pleasing to see him continually step up,” he added.
“Then you look at ‘Beasa’ and he’s someone that’s been on an AFL list, but he also brings so much as a leader. I think every player voted for him to be a part of this group and that shows how much they value him.”
Credlin, who has played 13 VFL games for the Tigers across three seasons, rounds up the four-man group, which is down from seven in 2019.
“Brenton relates really well to all our players; he speaks on their level and is a hard worker. He absolutely works his backside off, which people love, and I think he gives great balance to our leadership group,” Clarke said.
“It just shows that you don’t have to be in each week, and that you can lead in different ways.”
Richmond VFL will play an intraclub match on Saturday, before taking on Werribee in their first practice game next week.
The Tigers meet Sandringham in Round 1 of the 2020 VFL season at Marvel Stadium on April 5.
