Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has defended the character of former Tigers Tyrone Vickery and Jake King amid a criminal investigation over an alleged case of extortion.
King played 107 games at the Tigers before retiring in 2014, spending five seasons under Hardwick, while Vickery played 119 games before moving to Hawthorn at the end of last season.
The Tigers coach said he maintained irregular contact with Vickery and conceded he was shocked to hear of their involvement in a police investigation.
“Those two guys fought their backside off for me. From what I know of them … it is out of character for those guys,” he said.
“Across the year, you keep in touch … and Ty, I send texts and wish him all the best, happy birthday, those sort of things.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/damien-hardwick-defends-former-tigers-vickery-king/news-story/33135087bfb049093d17ef31692f53e5