Caracella, 39, joins Richmond’s coaching panel after seven seasons at Geelong, including the 2011 premiership triumph, and was also at Collingwood from 2007-09.
The highly-regarded deputy to Chris Scott won premierships at both Essendon (2000) and Brisbane (2003) as a player and also spent time with the Magpies, for whom he worked as part of that club’s coaching panel.
Caracella worked under Richmond’s new General Manager of Football, Neil Balme, for five years at Geelong and was a teammate of the Tigers’ senior coach Damien Hardwick in Essendon’s 2000 premiership side.
Balme said Caracella was a quality person with an outstanding playing and coaching CV.
“Blake has impressive credentials, experiencing great success throughout his playing and coaching career, and we’re really excited that he’s joining our coaching ranks,” Balme said.
“I know what a quality person Blake is, and can’t speak highly enough of him, having spent a number of years working with him as both a player and a coach.
“We’re looking forward to him hitting the ground running along with Damien, the other coaches, and the players at the start of the 2017 pre-season.”
Caracella played 126 games and kicked 151 goals for the Bombers, 34 games and 33 goals at the Lions and finished with 27 games and 34 goals for the Pies.
In 2015 he was one of nine assistant coaches to be accepted into the AFL’s elite level-four coaching program.
Geelong football manager Steve Hocking said Caracella went with the club’s blessing.
“Blake has done an exceptional job with the club over a long period, and we wish him well at Richmond,” Hocking said.
“Blake is part of the AFL’s level four coaching program and it is important that he continues to grow and develop as a coach. Blake has been a popular figure at our club and we look forward to following his progress as he pursues future coaching opportunities.”
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-cats-assistant-coach-blake-caracella-on-the-move-to-richmond/news-story/28209271b1047c1c1e1aaeaa4fc95ce9
