Adem Yze to be the next coach of RichmondThe race for the top job at Tigerland is over, with a famous Dee receiving the happiest of birthday gifts, chosen as the man to lead a new era at Richmond.
Jay Clark and Jon Ralph
HeraldSun
September 21, 2023 - 7:20PMRichmond has chosen Adem Yze to replace triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick as the Tigers attempt to continue to buck footy’s equalisation methods and remain in the premiership window.
The Tigers on Thursday made their call after days of discussions with Demons assistant coach Yze beating interim coach Andrew McQualter in what was understood to be an impossibly tight call.
It was the perfect birthday gift for Yze who turned 46 on Thursday.
Yze, 46, had impressed in the GWS and Essendon coaching selection races last year and had finished a close second to both Adam Kingsley and Brad Scott.
His highly impressive presentation and strong recent history coaching the Demons backline – including in the 2021 premiership – swayed the Richmond coaching selection panel.
The decision was made more difficult because Richmond was aware that choosing Yze would require McQualter to move on to further his senior coaching aspirations given his determination to win a full-time position.
It is understood former North Melbourne assistant coach Brett Ratten could emerge as a key replacement option for Yze at Melbourne.
With clubs like the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and North Melbourne having coaching vacancies McQualter will consider his options before moving to a club that can help him realise his dream.
McQualter initially put together a spectacular on field resume with six wins from his first eight games as he seamlessly took over from Hardwick.
While he finished his interim coaching run with four losses from five games, the Tigers had always told him they would not judge him on wins and losses.
Yze, 45, played 271 games for Melbourne as a clever left-footed midfielder and 2002 All Australian before joining the Hawks as a part-time assistant in 2012.
He progressed to backline coach replacing Luke Beveridge in 2014 and quickly built a strong reputation before moving to Melbourne in 2021.
The Demons drought-breaking premiership with Yze as their defensive coach came as he constructed one of the most miserly defensive structures in the modern era.
He said last week he had enjoyed the coaching process given its challenges and opportunities.
“I really enjoyed the processes I went through last year with both clubs and this has been no different. It tests you. It puts you in a scenario and shows your vulnerabilities, and I have really enjoyed the process and am really proud of the way I have presented,” Yze said.
The Tigers coaching panel included external experts including leadership consultant Paddy Steinfort and Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi.
Both McQualter and Yze made two extensive presentations with Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley and Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin in their final discussions with the panel.
The decision came on a day when the Tigers had young Hawthorn forward Jacob Koschitzke commit to the club, pending a trade.
But having handed away their first-round pick in last year’s trade for Jacob Hopper, the Tigers face significant challenges as they attempt to contend in the short-term future.
In the past three seasons the Tigers have won nine and a half games, 13 games (with the dramatic finals loss to Brisbane) and then 10 and a half games this season.
They will not start the 2024 season as a premiership contender given the loss of stars including Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin, with Dustin Martin at the top of his game but turning 33 next year.
They will hope the next generation of talent including Shai Bolton, Noah Balta, Tyler Sonsie, Thomson Dow, Noah Cumberland, Judson Clarke, Sam Banks and Samson Ryan can continue the club’s quest for finals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ADEM YZE'S CVAdem Yze
Age 46
Playing career: 271 games for Melbourne, 234 goals
All-Australian team 2002
Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Medal 2001
Harold Ball Memorial Trophy 1995
Rising Star Nominee 1996
Coaching career:2012 – Joins Hawthorn as a part-time assistant coach
2014 – Replaces Luke Beveridge as Hawks backline coach, eventually becomes in charge of match day strategy and opposition
2020 – Joins Melbourne as assistant coach and in charge of the Demons midfield. Is caretaker coach for a game in 2022, which Melbourne won giving him a 100 per cent record.
Long considered a senior-coach-in-waiting, Yze has had to overcome some hurdles along the way. He has gone for, and missed out on, coaching gigs at Adelaide, Essendon and GWS – finishing in second place in the latter two. As well as being in charge of the Demons’ star-studded midfield, Yze has also been the head of strategy on game day and as part of this he was in constant conversation with senior coach Simon Goodwin from the coaches’ box. The Tigers were wowed by Yze’s detailed presentation handed to them in the pre-finals bye and provides them with the fresh set of eyes potentially needed to lead a new era at Punt Road.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-2023-adem-yze-to-be-the-next-coach-of-richmond/news-story/4ad4ad10b7e74216ff3289115629ec9c
