Tigers still to keep something in reserve by: Sam Landsberger
From: Herald Sun
March 05, 2012 RICHMOND'S ambitious plans to deliver the club's 11th premiership have been dealt a blow by its failure to ditch VFL affiliate Coburg.
The Tigers wanted to cut ties and field a stand-alone reserves side using money from the $6 million fundraiser dubbed the Fighting Tiger Fund, revealed by the Herald Sun last year.
But Richmond is today expected to announce a three-year alignment renewal with Coburg, meaning the earliest it will be able to copy Geelong and Collingwood's successful formula of fielding a reserves team will be 2015.
The Tigers were unable to wear the cost that severing ties would create, including licensing fees and staffing costs.
Last year chief executive Brendon Gale said he had a dream of Richmond playing VFL games at Punt Rd, and it remains a priority of coach Damien Hardwick.
A reserves team would hand Richmond total control of player development, enhancing the improvement of youngsters such as Brandon Ellis, Todd Elton, Reece Conca and Jake Batchelor.
Despite Richmond's plan to break away from Coburg, the alignment remains one of the strongest in the competition, with both clubs keen to grow supporter bases in Melbourne's northwest corridor.
The renewal was finally signed by both clubs and submitted to AFL Victoria last month.
Richmond also wants to retire its debt, beef up its football department expenditure and spend 100 per cent of its salary cap to help retain stars.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-still-to-keep-something-in-reserve/story-e6frf9jf-1226288867372
