Dear Members,

Welcome to my final column of 2020. It has been an incredibly difficult year but one which will live long in the hearts and minds of Richmond supporters. Our AFL men’s team was simply extraordinary, and they should be proud of their resilience, commitment and connection.

2020 marked our first season as part of the AFLW competition. Unfortunately, the season wasn’t completed due to COVID. We are excited by what lies ahead for our women and pleased with recent confirmation that they will play home games at Punt Road Oval in season 2021.

I thought that I would address issues on which I have had recent member correspondence. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write.

Financial Position

Given the incredibly difficult circumstances the Club and the competition faced in 2020, we were pleased to record a modest profit for the financial year ended October 31. Club management and staff worked incredibly hard to deliver this result and they should be congratulated.

The 2021 financial outlook remains unclear and, as it stands, we still face significant challenges in the 12 months ahead. The potential for crowds to be significantly reduced poses the biggest threat to our profitability. Clearly good progress has been made in the fight against the COVID pandemic and we remain hopeful this risk is diminishing.

Of course, our members and sponsors have been integral to us weathering the COVID storm. That support is greatly appreciated, and it will again be important as we move into 2021.

The Board and management are naturally looking well beyond season 2021 in terms of strategic plans. Given the year that has unfolded, some of those strategic priorities are being recalibrated and will be shared with members as they develop.

Gaming

I have had some correspondence relating to our on-going involvement in the gaming industry. For several years, the Club has been involved in litigation regarding the lease of the Wantirna Club. Pleasingly, the matter was recently decided in our favour, meaning that the Board is now in a position to consider the Club’s long-term position with respect to gaming.   

Punt Road Oval Redevelopment

The redevelopment of Punt Road Oval is critical to our long-term future. Importantly, it will ensure the Club remains at Richmond where we’ve been since 1885. Punt Road Oval and our iconic location is integral to who we are, and the Board is determined to develop a facility that meets our long-term needs and keeps our Club in the heart of one of the world’s great sporting precincts. An important goal is reshaping the playing surface to AFL standards to ensure AFLW games can be played at the venue long-term.

As you may be aware, the Club recently secured $15.5 million funding from the Victorian Government to support the redevelopment of the Punt Road Oval precinct, and the establishment of the William Cooper Centre within the proposed development. This funding matches $15 million previously committed by the Federal Government. We thank both governments for investing in our vision of what Punt Road Oval can be.

The Board believes we will need around $60 million to complete this project. We anticipate the balance of the funding will be sourced through stakeholder commitments and fundraising initiatives. The Club might also need to contribute some of our existing cash reserves to ensure we get the best possible facility that will serve our football and business needs long into the future. We will not be taking on any debt to deliver this outcome.

Jack Dyer Stand

As previously flagged, the redevelopment will require the removal of the Jack Dyer Stand which is no longer fit for use. Removal needs to happen to ensure the Club remains at Richmond.  We need to use every inch of available space so that the Club has the best chance of success long into the future.

We have shared our plans with the Dyer family who fully understand the needs of the Club. While the Stand will go, we are still contemplating how we might incorporate the Dyer name – and indeed that of other Club immortals – in the new facility. This will also involve giving our members and supporters the opportunity to have some input. We are not erasing history, we simply want to give it a new home.

We will be extremely conscious of historical elements of the Stand which can be preserved in the new facility and our Club Historian, Rhett Bartlett, will be heavily involved in meeting this objective.

AFLW / VFLW

We look forward to our AFLW team taking part in the 2021 season and have high hopes for a more successful season under the guidance of our new coach Ryan Ferguson.

We have added some wonderful experience and talent to our list with Sarah Hosking, Harriet Cordner, Sarah D’Arcy and Sarah Dargan joining the Club via the trade period. We also welcome number one draft selection Ellie McKenzie to Richmond along with Tessa Lavey and Luka Lesosky-Hay through the draft.

We can’t wait to see our women in action in 2021 and we wish them the best of luck for what lies ahead.

I have received some correspondence recently in relation to our decision to align with Port Melbourne in the VFLW competition in 2021. This alignment will serve as our pathway program into AFLW while also supporting grass roots women’s football.

The prescribed soft cap means that, at present, we have finite resources when it comes to supporting all our football programs. We took the view that this alignment was the most efficient way to manage our participation in the VFLW competition, allowing available resources to be invested into the development of the AFLW program.

Port Melbourne is extremely excited about the partnership, as are we, and we look forward to working with them to the benefit of both.

Members

I again want to thank all our members for their extraordinary loyalty in this most difficult of years. As our coach Damien Hardwick said following the Grand Final success: “Great teams win Grand Finals, Great clubs win Premierships”. You make us a great Club and we thank all of you.

In recognition of your loyalty and the uncertainty leading into next season, we have frozen 2020 membership prices and introduced a more flexible membership model for the 2021 season giving you more control over your membership and match attendance in these continuing uncertain times.

In closing

So as 2020 draws to a close, it is impossible not to reflect on the suffering of so many. While times are still difficult there appears to be a bright light on the horizon, and we may well return to some form of normality in 2021.

We trust that the delivery of a third Premiership in four years has brought some happiness to the Tiger Army who are the reason we exist.

Have a safe and happy holiday season and I look forward to seeing you at the game in 2021 when we unfurl two Premiership flags.

Go Tigers.

Peggy O'Neal