Brendon Gale on his Richmond exit and the Tigers’ next steps under coach Adem Yze

Brendon Gale has conceded Richmond coach Adem Yze “sat back a little” during his first season in charge — but has warned not to expect the same in 2025.

Departing Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale expects Adem Yze will take on more responsibility in 2025 after potentially sitting back a little in his first season as coach.

And Gale, who oversaw three Tigers flags during 15 years in charge, was adamant the club could return quickly to contention from the bottom of the ladder.

Richmond crashed to its first wooden spoon since 2007, experiencing a list transition through the retirements of premiership greats Dustin Martin, Dylan Grimes and Marlion Pickett, along with a lengthy injury toll.

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Gale said Yze, who took over from triple premiership-winning coach Damien Hardwick, would “really start to put his fingerprints on the team” next year.

“We think Adem’s extremely capable and I think he has carried himself really well,” Gale told club podcast Talking Tigers.

“He comes into a program that’s been successful, he’s followed a coach of historical standing and has got premiership players everywhere.

The Tigers crashed to the woodenspoon in their first season under Adem Yze. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I reckon he’s maybe sat back a little bit, coupled with an incredible, unprecedented run with injury.

“I reckon what you’ll see from Adem next year is a coach that takes a lot more responsibility.

“This is his team and I think he’ll intervene, and poke and prod … which will generate its own energy and momentum, and away we go.”

Richmond holds the No. 1 selection and may recoup early picks in trades for several wantaway stars, such as Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli and Liam Baker, which will give the club a strong hand in a draft tipped to be deep.

Gale, set to start as Tasmania Devils’ chief early next year, did not subscribe to external predictions that suggested the Tigers would be near the bottom for a long period.

He pointed to Hawthorn as an example of how suddenly things could turn.

The Hawks finished 16th last season before charging into seventh this campaign.

“We’ve got some really important players who’ll be real bridges into this next phase and I think that’s really important,” Gale said.

“We’ll see what transpires post-season but I think there’s an opportunity to set up our next premiership in the next two years.

Brendon Gale watches on as Yze is unveiled as Tigers coach. Picture: Michael Klein

“We’ve got a really strong platform, a strong organisation, a culture and shared understanding from a board and administration, staff in what it takes.

“And I think our supporters understand what it takes as well, it’s not reacting and making evidence-based decisions and just building, building and building, and we’ll get back in no time.”

Richmond honoured Gale’s longstanding club contribution, both as chief executive and a 244-game player, by inducting him into its hall of fame last week in what was a surprise to him.

“I’m a Tiger for life, always will be, and even with Tasmania I’ve have a massive part of Richmond in my heart,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to coming to the footy and seeing how they progress.”

Gale planned to remain in Melbourne before moving to his home state in mid-to-late 2026.

Originally published as Brendon Gale on his Richmond exit and the Tigers’ next steps under coach Adem Yze