Richmond board challengers are refusing to back down but are yet to speak with Peggy O’Neal

UPDATE: COACHING great Mick Malthouse has not been approached by the rival Richmond board ticket as he remains “staggered” by their plans.

Dr Martin Hiscock. Picture: AAP Images.

COACHING great Mick Malthouse has not been approached by the rival Richmond board ticket as he remains “staggered” by their plans.

Malthouse’s name had been linked with the “Focus on Football” group — which on Monday called for a spill of the Tigers’ board — in relation to the “CEO of football” position it wants to create if it wins power.

But he said while you would “never say never” about such a role, he doesn’t completely understand what the group is trying to achieve.

“I’m still a bit staggered at what they’re really after,” Malthouse said today.

“I’m trying to decipher what’s their main modus operandi in the challenge, because anyone who’s got Richmond blood in them wants them to do well. It appears they want them to do well but are looking at minimum changes.

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“As far as that role goes, certainly they haven’t approached me. It’s one of those roles ... I don’t even know exactly what they’re after.

“You never say never, but you’ve got to see what it entails. Is it part-time, full-time, it is match day? I think until they get their agenda together and know exactly what they want, then no one is going to be really certain why the challenge is taking place.”

Malthouse, who holds the all-time games coached record, said he has been “bemused” by what has played out in recent days.

Mick Malthouse says the Richmond board challengers have not approached him about a role at the club. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“We all wait to really see what is going to transpire,” he said on SEN.

“It doesn’t appear that they want anyone’s head outside of the board, and have already congratulated the board on getting the club turned around financially.

“I’m as bemused as most people at what they really want.”

The board challengers have declared that they “aren’t going away” despite making no progress on their call for the Tigers board led by president Peggy O’Neal to step down.

The Focus on Football ticket launched its assault on Monday but is yet to even speak with O’Neal or other Richmond officials after phone calls again went unanswered.

The group has threatened to force a board spill and election if O’Neal and Co do not leave of their own accord.

Dr Martin Hiscock (right) and the Focus on Football ticket launched its assault on Monday. Picture: AAP Images.

Group leader Martin Hiscock was defiant on Tuesday.

“What we plan to do is that myself and (fellow group members) Mag (Kearney) and probably Dr David Marsh would approach Peggy O’Neal in person and have a roundtable discussion with her and Brendon Gale about a smooth takeover,” Hiscock told the Herald Sun.

“That would involve all of our ticket going onto the Richmond Football Club board immediately.

“The whole board has to stand down, but we would then throw the nominations process open and of course we would consider some of the recent appointees to the board among the other aspirants.

“If she declines that ... we would progress then to an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting).

“I think there’s a time and place (to do it). We’ll work things out between us. I’m sure she’ll respond in the right way — we’re all professionals.”

Richmond officials are considering whether they will meet with the group and could potentially accede to the call next week. The club’s best and fairest is tomorrow night.

Kearney claimed that the group has received “overwhelming support” since Monday’s launch, including from unnamed former Richmond players and board members

We’re not going to go away ... they can’t ignore us,” she said.

Peggy O'Neal is yet to meet with the Focus on Football ticket. Picture: AAP Images.

Kearney also said the group hoped to meet with Collingwood official Neil Balme this week after naming him as the key target for the position of “CEO of football”.

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The group’s public relations strategy saw proposed football director Bryan Wood hit the airwaves, with the three-time premiership Tiger flagging Kevin Sheedy as the type of person it would look to install in an advisory role if it is successful.

“Kevin is quite ensconced and secure at Essendon, but if we can get that type of person back to Richmond to help bring about this success that we want — obviously, yes,” he said.

“Kevin is a great performer and that’s why Essendon got him back there — to help bring about unity.”

Originally published as Richmond board challengers are refusing to back down but are yet to speak with Peggy O’Neal