Richmond senior coach: All the news and reaction out of Punt Road after Adem Yze appointment

Adem Yze has addressed the media for the first time since being appointed Richmond coach. Find out what he had to say on the club’s future and his plans for finals success.

New Richmond coach Adem Yze. Pictures: Richmond FC

New Richmond coach Adem Yze says Richmond can bounce back into the top four next year just like Greater Western Sydney as the Tigers promised a new era of success.

Yze was on Friday presented at Punt Road as the club’s 42nd VFL-AFL coach and made clear the club’s stated aim of contending again in the near future was no pipe-dream.

The 46-year-old was told on Thursday night after a third presentation to the Tigers board he would be handed the keys to Richmond’s list as the perfect birthday present.

He said he would be happy to retain interim coach Andrew McQualter as the club’s senior assistant but the beaten candidate is expected to move on.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, Brett Ratten is a contender to replace him after stepping up in Alastair Clarkson’s absence at North Melbourne this year.

Yze said he would speak to his mentor Ratten about a role at Punt Road where he would join Ben Rutten and David Teague as a sacked former AFL coach providing valuable counsel.

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said star Dustin Martin would fulfil his contract and challenged him to provide a new level of leadership to the Tigers group.

Adem Yze has been appointed Richmond coach. Picture: Getty Images

He admitted the club’s playing style had been “unrecognisable” last year given the complete lack of pressure on the ball.

Yze said despite the club’s failure to win a final since the 2020 Grand Final the Tigers were hellbent on a new period of success.

“It’s been three years since we have won a final so there has to be a subtle change and hopefully I can bring that change,” he said.

“The foundations are really strong. I am hoping to bring my experience at two strong footy clubs and bring my slant on the way we should play so hopefully we can bounce back really quickly.

“We are not going to put a ceiling on where we can finish, there is huge upside in watching what other teams have done.

“GWS have gone from the bottom half of the ladder to playing in a prelim. Not to say that’s what we are going to do but it’s what we are going to strive to do.

“I want our players walking into the footy club thinking they can make the top four next year.

“There might be some bumps along the road but as a footy club we will be really strong throughout that period.”

Yze with his children Jasmine and Noah and wife Afijet. Picture: Getty Images

Yze said he was hopeful a trade could be brokered for Hawks forward Jacob Koschitke, having previously coached him as a diligent player who has significant upside.

He said he had no issues with trying to find more talent on the list despite the club trading away this year’s first-round pick for Jacob Hopper.

McQualter is expected to find a new landing spot which can further his coaching aspirations with Gale acknowledging he would be shattered to miss out to Yze.

On the chances of bringing in Ratten, Yze said: “Ratts is a mentor of mine, I will give him a call this afternoon but we are just trying to work through what spots we need to fill and if there is an opportunity there is a possibility. He would be someone I would talk to.”

Yze said he was hoping Martin could play on for many years at Richmond with a clear, defined role as Gale challenged the 32-year-old to round out his leadership.

“He is staying. He is a really good player. He’s a Richmond man,” Gale said.

“He is going to play his 300th game. He knows how important it is at this footy club

“But I think there is still improvement in Dustin. There is still growth in Dustin.

“He has got the ability to become an even more powerful leader and even more influential for this group. They will work really well together.”