Just reward for a couple of low-key Tigers . . .
2:29:21 PM Fri 27 January, 2006
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
Two of Richmond's "quietest achievers" took centre stage at the Club's Annual General Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, last Wednesday evening when they were honored with Life Membership of the Tigers.
Mark Chaffey and Andy Kellaway were warmly received by the members of the Tiger faith in attendance, when they stepped up to accept their Life Membership accolade.
The pair, who shun the limelight, preferring to go about their football business with a minimum of fuss, became the focus of attention as they reflected on their time at Tigerland.
Interestingly, the league careers of Chaffey and Kellaway have taken strikingly similar paths.
Chaffey, who was a 2nd round selection (No. 35 overall) in the 1996 National Draft, made his senior league debut in 1997, but didn't establish himself as a senior regular at Richmond until 2000.
Since then, he has developed into one of the Tigers' most consistent performers, being used effectively as a small defender, and also as a 'run-with' player in more recent times.
The 28-year-old, a veteran of 160 games, is meticulous in his football preparation and possesses an excellent work ethic.
Kellaway, who turned 30 last November, actually started his career at Tigerland on the Club's supplementary list, and was a member of the reserves premiership side in 1997 under Jeff Gieschen.
At the end of that year, he was chosen by Richmond at pick No. 71 in the National Draft, and he made his senior league debut with the Tigers the following season.
It wasn't until 2000, however, that Kellaway's AFL career took off. He played every game that season, took the most number of marks at the Club (161), and capped off his efforts by winning the prestigious Jack Dyer Medal, as well as earning All-Australian selection.
With his wonderful courage, discipline, determination and durability, Andrew Kellaway has gone on to become an integral part of the Richmond line-up. He has now played 157 senior league games and, like Mark Chaffey, has been a fine servant of the Club.
At the AGM, it was also announced that star Tiger defender Darren Gaspar had returned to the playing leadership group for 2006.
Gaspar joins Matthew Richardson and Joel Bowden as a deputy vice-captain of the Club, with Nathan Brown being reappointed vice-captain and Kane Johnson retaining the captaincy.
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