Richmond keen to keep Jade Rawlings Tony Sheahan | Herald Sun, September 13, 2009
RICHMOND has given its strongest indication yet former senior coach Jade Rawlings is an integral member of the club's football department.
President Gary March said a decision on Rawlings's future with the club could be known as early as today.
"Damien (Hardwick) was going to work out whether there was a role for Jade and I think they were going to do that over the weekend," March said.
"We'd be keen for Jade to stay around, if it suited him and it suited us. But it has to work for both parties, and more importantly, it has to work for Damien," March said.
"We said to Jade he should have a think about what he wanted to do. We would understand if he wanted to leave, but we were also keen for him to stay. We'd be more than happy if he decided to stay."
Rawlings has a year of his contract remaining, and in his favour is a healthy relationship with the club's head of football, Craig Cameron.
"Damien will sit down and work out what Jade has to offer and how that could work," March said.
But the new coach won't have carte blanche control over the entire football department.
Hardwick will have to consult with Cameron and the club's new chief executive Brendon Gale about prospective coaches he wants, and whether they fit the mould of the Richmond football club.
The football department will make a presentation to the board this week regarding direction, likely appointments and budgets for next year.
Hardwick has canvassed up to half a dozen coaches. He met former teammate Brendon Lade last week in Brighton. Former Hawk Ben Dixon was approached, too, as was Adam Simpson.
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