Richmond assistant coach Craig McRae will depart the Club at the end of the season, after accepting a coaching role with Hawthorn.

The triple premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and experienced coach has served two coaching stints at Richmond from 2007 - 09 as a development coach, before departing to take up coaching roles with Brisbane Lions and Collingwood.

In 2016, McRae returned to Richmond as both a development coach, and coach of the Club’s VFL team.

He took Richmond’s VFL team to two grand finals (’17 and ’19), culminating in a premiership in 2019, complementing the AFL team’s premiership success in the same year.

At the end of last season, he was promoted to assistant coach, charged with Richmond’s forward line.

“I am extremely grateful for my five years at Richmond, and in that time being part of changing the culture at VFL and AFL level,” McRae said.

“To the leave the Club seeing so many young players develop into AFL premiership players makes me very proud.

“Winning the VFL premiership last year as coach will be something I will cherish for the rest of my life, and want to thank all the staff and players for their years of hard work.

“I leave the Club a better coach and person, and will look back at my time at Richmond as one of the most fulfilling of my life. I owe the Richmond Football Club, ‘Dimma’ and all of the staff so much, and wish them all the best for the future.”

Richmond General Manager – Football Performance, Tim Livingstone thanked the departing McRae.

“Craig’s talents as a coach, and care as a person has helped our players to become their best, as well as enjoy their football,” Livingstone said.

“In his time as our VFL coach, along with excellent coaching, he always created a positive and connected environment for both the AFL and VFL players to perform and play together.

“We are excited to continue the final part of our season with Craig, and beyond that, we wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”