Richmond president’s dig at departing players in not-so-subtle speech

Tigers president John O’Rourke’s apparent thinly-veiled swipe at departing Richmond stars has not gone unnoticed.

The 2024 Richmond Best and Fairest.

Richmond star Daniel Rioli paid tribute to his teammates and coach Adem Yze after claiming his first best and fairest award after what looms as his final year at the Tigers.

Rioli’s speech came after Tigers president John O’Rourke appeared to deliver a thinly-veiled swipe to departing Richmond players earlier in the night.

Rioli on Tuesday night claimed the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond’s best and fairest player for the club’s two-win season, polling 40 votes to pip defender Nick Vlastuin (38 votes) and captain Toby Nankervis (36 votes).

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However Rioli post-season requested a trade to the Gold Coast Suns, despite being contracted to the Tigers until the end of the 2027 season.

In accepting the award, Rioli said he was “pretty grateful and humbling” to accept the award before thanking sponsors and “the Tigers Army” for their support.

Your 2024 Best & Fairest 🥇#JDM2024 | #gotigespic.twitter.com/4EqUMr4a3Y

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) October 1, 2024

“It’s pretty special. My grandfather (Maurice Rioli) won this award a couple of times a long time ago now, so to be able to receive this award, it means the world to me.”

He then turned his attention to his teammates.

“I love you boys so much. We kept showing up throughout the year, it’s been a tough year, but a lot of opportunity,” Rioli said.

“‘Ooze’ (Yze) has been amazing in his first year. We didn’t get the chocolates as much as we did this year, but he’s an amazing coach. He just loves his players, so much respect for him.

“I hope everyone has a good night tonight and I love every single one of you in the room.”

Rioli isn’t the only player poised to depart the Tigers in the coming weeks, with Shai Bolton, Liam Baker and Jack Graham all eyeing moves to Western Australia.

Bolton, contracted until 2028, has requested a trade to WA, while free agents Baker and Graham have been tipped to join West Coast.

Baker and Bolton – who both played in the 2019 and 2020 Richmond premierships – on Tuesday night finished equal-fifth in the Jack Dyer Medal count.

“It’s been a great year and I appreciate everything the club’s done for myself and my family over the years and this year,” Baker said to the crowd.

“I’m looking forward to what the club does in the future. I can’t wait to support it and it’s going to be great looking from afar, so thank you for everything. Take it easy.”

Addressing the room earlier in the night, O’Rourke acknowledged “the selfless commitment and efforts of our leadership group and all of our experienced players”.

O’Rourke then pointed to the loyalty of defender Nathan Broad, who finished fourth in the best and fairest count – two months after signing a two-year contract extension.

“No matter what happens in the trade period and immediately ahead, we know we’ve still got a very strong cohort of experience and leadership with a group that still has so much to offer on-field, but can make an equally strong contribution on setting the standards and guiding our young players through this next phase of growth,” O’Rourke said during his 10-minute address.

“I could mention a dozen players that we have in this category, but by way of example – and he probably won’t like me singling him out – how fortunate are we to have players of the character of a Nathan Broad?

“Here’s a player who was drafted into an era of immediate club success as a mature-age player. I know through this year, I’m sure he could have explored options to see out his career in his home state, or perhaps look for more lucrative options with other clubs. But he chose to extend for a further two years.

Richmond coach Adam Yze faces the media with president John O'Rourke. Picture: Michael Klein

“And in his own words: ‘No one really wanted me as a 22-year-old, but Richmond did. I’m fully indebted to this club and I’m looking to get us back up the ladder, which is exciting.’ What a Richmond man – and his optimism around the place this year I thought was brilliant.”

O’Rourke also thanked departing coaches David Teague and Kane Lambert for their contributions to the club and wished them “all the best for the future”.

He also declared his board was “100 per cent behind” Yze and the club’s football department bosses.

“They will be given the clear air now to own and put their stamp on the next generation of the Richmond Football Club,” O’Rourke said.

“I’m sure, in fact I know, our fans are really sharing in the excitement of the players that have emerged this year, by the players that will return from long-term injury in 2025 and the multiple opportunities that we may have to draft in new talent later this year.”

Originally published as Richmond president’s dig at departing players in not-so-subtle speech