Richmond coach Terry Wallace expected to stay beyond '09
Mark Robinson | September 25, 2008
RICHMOND president Gary March has given a strong indication coach Terry Wallace will be reappointed after the 2009 season.
Wallace, who will enter the fifth and final year of his contract next year, was "most likely" to be reappointed, March said yesterday.
The Tigers, under March and newly appointed head of football, Craig Cameron, will assess the performance of Wallace and his team by mid-season.
"Terry will be coaching Richmond next year, I've said that 100 times," March said.
"And most likely he will be reappointed because we're heading in the right direction.
"When we assess Terry, we discount the first two years and we reckon now we have the list that will see us play finals footy.
"And I've got no doubt he'll be able to deliver on that because he's a very good game-day coach.
"So, one, Terry has ticked the box as a game-day coach; two, he's ticked the box in development; and now the only box left to tick is, has he got the game style to take us to the next level and we think he has.
"We see Terry as the next Richmond premiership coach."
Guest speaker at a Melbourne Press Club lunch yesterday, March listed the season's highlights as:
ACHIEVING well above external expectation, but maintaining disappointment at not making the finals.
HAVING a winning percentage for the first time in the past four years (11 1/210 1/2 win-loss record).
WINNING its two games in Perth.
MATTHEW Richardson: "The Brownlow Medal would've been a crowning achievement," March said.
THE redevelopment of Punt Rd Oval.
THE development of young players.
"Some of these young players have been criticised by outsiders for not being at a certain level, particularly Brett Deledio," March said.
People expected young players to be "instant superstars", he said.
March also listed Daniel Connors, Trent Cotchin, Matt White, Shane Edwards, and defenders Kelvin Moore, Will Thursfield and Luke McGuane.
"For us as a club we are really excited about our development," he said.
The major disappointment was the accident involving Graham Polak, who will stay on the list.
March denied there was instability at the club.
"Part of the disappointment (of the year) is the perceived instability of our football club," he said.
"Our club's pretty stable in regards to the direction we're going and you'll see that next year. All Richmond supporters can look forward to Richmond playing in the finals for the first time in a long time."
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