Richmond Tigers

Latest on Richmond coaching search as candidates enter final stages

One man in the running will have his final meeting with the Tigers in the coming days.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Melbourne assistant coach Adem Yze will have one final meeting with Richmond to present his case in the Tigers' search for their next senior coach.

Yze is among the remaining candidates in the running to succeed Damien Hardwick at Punt Road, with a decision from Richmond's search committee likely to come later this month.

The Demons assistant has been in competition with Tigers interim coach Andrew McQualter, former club captain Chris Newman and current Richmond assistant Xavier Clarke.

McQualter has been viewed as the front-runner for most of the running, having shown promising signs in the hot seat after stepping in to fill Hardwick's role in a caretaker position from Round 11.

Yze looms as McQualter's biggest threat however, with the former Melbourne star still part of the Tigers' process during the final stages of the club's search.

Speaking on ABC Radio on Friday, Yze revealed he will speak with the Tigers in the coming days for what will be his final presentation in the process.

"I am," Yze confirmed when asked if he was still in the running at Richmond.

"To be fair, they've been terrific. They've allowed me time to get through each game.

"I've got another meeting next week. It will be the last one. They'll make a decision after that."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Adem Yze and Troy Chaplin the assistant coaches of the Demons walk out onto the field during the round seven AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 30, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Yze's candidacy for the Richmond job is his third coaching nomination over the past 15 months, having pursued senior coaching vacancies at GWS and Essendon in 2022.

The former Hawthorn assistant helped steer Melbourne to premiership glory in 2021 under Simon Goodwin, while the Demons secured successive top-four finishes during the past two regular seasons with the help of Yze.

Melbourne's 2023 campaign came to a close on Friday night through a heart-breaking two-point loss to Carlton in a home semi-final.

Richmond, meanwhile, ended their season 13th on the ladder with a 10-1-12 record, with McQualter recording seven of those wins from his 13 matches in charge.

The changing of the guard in the Tigers' coaches box isn't the only significant shift the club is undertaking this off-season, with Richmond having bid farewell to club greats Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin, as well as veteran defender Robbie Tarrant, through retirement.

The Tigers have made one further list change since their season was brought to an end, delisting first-year forward Kaelan Bradtke, leaving Mate ColinaRhyan MansellBigoa Nyuon and Hugo Ralphsmith as the only players without a contract for 2024.

Any further list decisions could be on hold as the club nears an announcement on their next senior coach.

Published by
Mitch Keating