Inside Tigers race that could shape next dynasty as every contender broken downDavid Zita
Fox Sports
August 16th, 2023 Richmond’s coaching search has been narrowed down to a shortlist, with a decision on Damien Hardwick’s successor to be made before the season is out.
Caretaker coach
Andrew McQualter is an obvious contender given his interim coaching stint that is still ongoing, with his journey having become well-known over the last three months as he has made his play at the top job.
Other contenders’ journeys are less public to this point, but their names will be firmly in the mix as they sit down for follow-up interviews in the coming days.
Chris Newman is among those to be short-listed and his name would be well known to Richmond faithful, given his 268-game playing career at the club that ended at the close of 2015.
His move to Hawthorn was virtually instant, joining the club near the close of October as a development coach.
Newman’s impact was immediate at Waverley, with some observing early on he had all the attributes of a senior coach in waiting.
Like other candidates on the shortlist, Newman’s strength has been in relationship-building and team bonding.
Those close to Newman have noted his ability to open up on his own vulnerabilities and empower players to do similar has helped build stronger bonds between teammates at the Hawks.
That process would ring true at Tigerland, given a similar process led to the club’s premiership dynasty.
Candidates have been asked to have a proven track record and Newman’s stint at the helm of Box Hill could help him make a strong case.
Box Hill finished 10th in 2016, but his first season at the helm resulted in a second-place finish and preliminary final berth, with Newman named VFL Coach of the Year.
The following season saw Newman coach the side to a VFL premiership, becoming the first-ever side in the league to win a flag from outside the top four.
His time as an assistant coach has seen him play a significant part in the careers of some emerging players, Mitch Lewis, Dylan Moore and Changkuoth Jiath to name a few.
Newman can strike a fine balance between being direct as a line coach but also employing more delicate approaches where necessary.
He has also worked under Alastair Clarkson and now Sam Mitchell, two considerably talented coaches, with Mitchell rapidly building a resumé of his own.
Working alongside those with an ingrained understanding of the game is also applicable to
Hayden Skipworth - another name in the mix.
The Collingwood assistant forms part of a brain trust that has worked wonders for the Pies, led by Craig McRae and made up of the likes of Justin Leppitsch and Brendan Bolton.
Skipworth played 55 senior games for Adelaide and Essendon before retiring in 2009, but has forged an even more impressive career as a coach, having led Essendon’s VFL side during his tenure at the Bombers.
He moved across to Collingwood in 2020, with former coach Nathan Buckley and football boss Geoff Walsh rating him highly.
Walsh recalled Skipworth’s promise when speaking to foxfooty.com.au this week.
“He straightaway impressed me as someone with a bit of integrity and prepared to do the hard yards, which he has,” Walsh said.
“He had a number of roles with us at Collingwood.
“He’s very good with the players. A lot of the assistant coaches are, that’s their bread and butter, they form relationships. But he was very good at forming relationships.”
Skipworth’s time with Buckley has been followed up by his tenure with McRae, who like Mitchell at Hawthorn has rapidly become one of the prime faces of modern coaching.
Like many at the AIA Centre, Skipworth has embraced a growth mindset, completing a renowned Harvard leadership course.
Those who have dealt with Skipworth have noted his interpersonal skills and empathy.
Walsh said that was balanced with an ability to have input on game day.
“The thing I was quite impressed with, he was always willing in the box - and I always judge that, how willing are they to speak up in the box, are they just yes men - he had that style where he’d be respectful but not frightened to offer his own opinion,” Walsh said.
“He was confident in his own ability but not in a disrespectful way.
“He’s an intelligent person. They’re well aware they’ve got to bring their own vulnerability to show to their playing group as much as helping those who are vulnerable themselves. I think he falls into that category.”
Like McQualter,
Steven King has the benefit of having coached an AFL side in some fashion, with King’s stint at the helm of Gold Coast to have reached seven games by the time the season is over.
Figures at the Suns have noted King’s tireless work ethic and willingness to be flexible and adaptable with his approach to his time in the job.
His understanding of the game is sound, with his stoppage game a particular strength, which could benefit a side in Richmond that has in the past struggled to thrive in that area despite its on-field success.
King has improved in his short time at the helm and has shown an ability to use motivational tools where needed, taking like a duck to water to the added responsibility.
There are then the more commonly known names of
Daniel Giansiracusa and
Ash Hansen, who have built impressive resumés in their own right.
Giansiracusa and Hansen’s coaching journeys have been somewhat intertwined.
Both worked alongside each other as coaches at the Dogs and had stints at the helm of the VFL side, with Hansen coaching the side to the VFL premiership in 2016 as Luke Beveridge did the same for the AFL side.
Another similarity is both having completed the Level Four coaching program.
Both have significant coaching experience and both have been in the mix for senior coaching vacancies in the past.
Giansiracusa has coached across all lines and was voted the AFL Coaches Association’s assistant coach of the year in 2020, while Hansen currently heads Carlton’s forwards and offence and has a keen understanding of the game.
Western Bulldogs games-record holder Brad Johnson said on Fox Footy last week he could easily see his former teammate becoming a senior coach.
“He’s been through the process a couple of times just for experience more than anything, just to understand how it all works,” he said.
“He’s coached his own team, he’s ready to go.
“Out of all these guys here, he stacks up really highly among those. He would be a great appointment and one that would be able to take a club forward.
“He’s got that serious approach, no question, but he can also bring the group in and have a bit of fun. The great mix that Gia would bring would be outstanding for any footy club.”
The pathway has been narrowed significantly after the first round of applications have been whittled down, but there are still selection headaches of sorts for the Richmond panel to work through over the next few weeks, extending even beyond the names above.
Its ultimate decision will shape the club for years to come, as Hardwick’s appointment did at the close of 2009.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-2023-next-richmond-coach-shortlist-contenders-for-job-damien-hardwick-replacement-andrew-mcqualter-latest/news-story/f34fcd9f3a7451793cbf45a5557b3200
