Former Tiger ready to make jump from player to coach AFL.com.au
September 29, 2016RETIRED Richmond defender Troy Chaplin this week interviewed for a position on Damien Hardwick's panel as he looks to make the immediate transition from player to coach.
Chaplin announced his retirement after round 16 and moved straight into a role assisting the Tigers' coaches for the final six weeks of the season.
He impressed in the role and is among the candidates now pushing to fill several vacant positions at the Tigers after the club chose to bring fresh voices in alongside Hardwick.
New football manager Neil Balme and Dan Richardson, who has taken on the role of general manager of football talent, are heading up the coach search.
At the time of Chaplin's retirement, Richardson said, "We are delighted that he has agreed to remain at the club in a coaching capacity. Troy has a great football brain and there is little doubt he has a bright future as a coach."
Balme this week spoke about the importance of appointing the right people to assist Hardwick, whose only remaining assistant from 2016 will be backline coach Ben Rutten.
The veteran football administrator and Tigers premiership player said the coach would benefit from having the right people around him, including Blake Caracella, who was appointed last week.
"'Dimma' hasn't made all the decisions on how the coaching set-up will be, but obviously Blake is a senior assistant in some essence in that he's capable of doing any of the five disciples in it," Balme told the club's website.
"Whether it's when we've got the ball, they've got the ball, forward, back or midfield – he's got experience in all of those things.
"He's a really smart coach and he's done a lot of work in footy and I think he'll bring a hell of a lot to this program."
Sacked Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch is also in the mix to return to Punt Road, where he was an assistant to Hardwick between 2010 and 2013.
He is also due to meet with two other Melbourne-based clubs this week.
Richmond has spoken to Brisbane Lions senior candidate Brett Montgomery as it searches for at least three more assistant coaches after Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams and assistants Ross Smith and Greg Mellor departed last month.
Hardwick's right-hand man Brendon Lade also left the club to take up a long-term position with former club Port Adelaide.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-29/former-tiger-troy-chaplin-ready-to-make-jump-from-player-to-coach
