Richmond honchos Peggy O’Neal and Brendon Gale tell of club’s epic turnaround

A YEAR ago, they were fighting to keep their jobs and stave off a board spill, but today they walk tall as off-field architects of the Tigers’ incredible single-season rise from 13th to premiership glory.

Richmond president Peggy O'Neil and chief executive Brendon Gale hold the premiership cup aloft. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

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A YEAR ago they were fighting to keep their jobs and stave off a board spill.

Today they walk tall as two off-field architects of the Tigers’ incredible single-season rise from 13th to premiership glory.

Richmond’s 11th premiership, at the Crows’ expense, on Saturday meant as much to president Peggy O’Neal and chief executive Brendon Gale as anyone.

And, despite Dustin Martin’s brilliant year, they told the Herald Sun there were many other reasons, on and off the field, for the Tigers going from failure to glory in a single bound.

Gale said the story of how Richmond had been rewired to win its first premiership in 37 years was far from simple.

“I prefer not to look at last year in isolation. I mean, this is our fourth finals campaign in five years,’’ he said.

Brendon Gale gets a hug from a thankful fan at the club’s official Grand Final Family Day at Punt Road Oval. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“Last year we hit some headwinds, and sometimes that is when you do your most important learning.

“We put some things in place and we’ve taken that step further, and it’s just been remarkable.

“The crowds have been a massive factor too this year. They’ve turned up in record numbers and in the finals they were absolutely a factor.’’

Gale said Richmond executives had tried to make Tigerland an environment where “people can be who they want to be’’ and credited coach Damien Hardwick with changing attitudes behind closed doors

“The worse things went last year the harder we spun the wheels and sometimes that takes you further away,’’ he said. “So he’s had some really important self-reflection, and he’s been a major catalyst.’’

O’Neal, the first female president of an AFL club, said the Tigers believed in themselves despite no team previously coming from 13th on the ladder to win the flag the following year.

Tigers president Peggy O'Neal is congratulated by a fan after the stunning win. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

“We thought we were on the right path but some things needed to change and the coach was open to new ideas,’’ she said.

“We brought in a few new assistant coaches. Trent (Cotchin) has talked about how he changed himself and that as captain he really needed a deeper connection to players, so that changed.’’

Off-field, financial stability, “a bit of space’’ for the football department, and funds to keep the likes of Brownlow Medallist Martin on the books, were made priorities.

“So a lot of people did a lot of little things and it ended up looking like a big thing,’’ she said. “And I think it was the belief we had in one another and the fact that it’s not just the team on the ground, it’s the team outside all pulling in the same direction.

“It takes the whole team and when you see it work it’s very powerful.’’

Gale, who played 262 games for the Tigers, was as pleased for the fans as the players. “I’m just so happy for them,’’ he said.

Matthew Richardson with partner Genevieve Holliday and their newborn daughter Zoey. Picture: Tim Carrafa

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“We’re not curing cancer but this just means so much and it will change people’s lives.’’

Richmond greats have also hailed the club’s 2017 premiership as one of the best.

As the dust settled on Saturday’s 48-point belting of Adelaide, past players said the fact the club had waited 37 years to taste premiership glory again made its 11th flag extra special.

Tigers favourite Matthew Richardson cradled his baby daughter, Zoey, at Punt Rd Oval as he took in the heaving mass of yellow and black supporters today.

“It sort of sinks in now, it’s amazing,’’ he said.

“It was emotional just to see the boys lift up that cup.”

Francis Bourke, five-time Richmond premiership player, said the triumph reminded him of “The Tigers of Old’’.

Richmond's 1980 premiership heroes Michael Roach, Geoff Raines, Kevin Bartlett, Captain Bruce Monteath and Dale Weightman getting behind the Tigers. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I’m proud of the players and the club and what they’ve done and I’m on the bandwagon fair and square.’’

Tigers great Dale Weightman said the club had come “a long, long, long, long way’’.

“I know how much hard work has gone on ... and it’s the fans who have stuck through all the ups and downs ... that will enjoy it most,’’ he said.

Richmond board member Emmett Dunne said he was “getting more satisfaction this year from this premiership than the one I played in 1980”.

“It might sound a bit weird but when you’re a player you’ve got to be selfish and it’s all about you and the team and the game and you exclude all the exterior noise,’’ he said.

“But when you’re on the board and you know the history, you know what has happened over the past 12 months, you grab hold of the bigger picture and understand it.”

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