Richmond will "seriously" consider interim coach Andrew McQualter in their search to find Damien Hardwick's successor, however the club is in no rush to confirm their next senior coach.
Hardwick called time on his decorated 14-year tenure a Tigerland last month following a Round 10 defeat to Essendon, with McQualter handed the reins for the rest of this season in the caretaker position.
The long-serving assistant has managed to steer Richmond closer to a top eight spot across his four matches in charge of the Tigers, recording three wins - all of which coming in their past three matches - to now sit two points outside the finals frame.
Richmond confirmed they are searching for the 'next Damien Hardwick' and will likely look toward untried coaches in their hunt for the triple premiership mentor's successor, with McQualter's dress rehearsal placing him as the favourite for the role so far.
Speaking toย RSN,ย senior Richmond advisor Neil Balme said the club has commenced discussions in-house as they prepare to launch their search process, with McQualter's candidacy to be considered after a "terrific" start in the hot seat.
"We've already had a couple of talks around what type of person we need," Balme said.
"It's more philosophical and bigger picture stuff. Fortunately, there's plenty of time to do that and we haven't put any timelines around that.
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"There's been a few people talking about it, which is the board and management, but that hasn't actually been totally decided yet either as to what we'll do and who we'll look at.
"Having watched (McQualter), we will take him very seriously. Whether he really wants to do it yet or not, we haven't gone into it.ย He's been terrific. He's certainly telling a good story for himself.
"But again, the club is in a position to decide what's longer term, what we need, so none of that is certain at all at the minute."
Balme's comments come just days after Hardwick revealed he is open to returning to the coaching landscape, however a timeline or destination for his return remains up in the air.
The 50-year-old has been tied to the Gold Coast Suns despite Stuart Dew's contract status for 2024, with Hardwick's candid interview on theย Dyl and Friendsย podcast likely to have the Suns coach on edge to some degree.
Balme said the Tigers would support Hardwick's return to the AFL, believing the competition is "worth off without him".
"In a way (it was a surprise). I didn't really know what he was thinking," Balme added.
"He's been a wonderful coach for a long time and the game is worth off without him, so it'll be a great thing if he (returned to coaching).
"We'd support anything he does from that point of view and would love to see him back in it.
"I don't think it'll happen tomorrow, but it's good that he's still got that really positive feeling for the game and coaching. Whatever he does we'll support."
McQaulter's toughest challenge since stepping into the caretaker role falls on Thursday night, with the Tigers facing Brisbane at the Gabba at 7:20pm (AEST).
