You have to remember that Richmond had its best years when it was ruled by a dictator named Graeme Richmond. We are talking about a dictator in the communist manner, or what was supposed to be the communist manner.
GR's exit followed the departure from the club of three key members of the 1980 premiership team — centre-half forward David Cloke, centreman Geoff Raines and defender Bryan Wood. The Tigers never recovered. The club which had been ruled with an iron fist became a club of fierce and indiscriminate internal disputes.
The club didn't move with the times. What worked in the 60s/70s no longer did as the game moved towards semi-professionalism and players being paid more in the 80s. Players wanted more than a couple of shirts to be happy to stay at a club. Now days there's too much involved for one man to run a footy club. As we've learnt the hard way there's too much even for just one man to be the recruiter. You need the whole organisation to have money, be fully resourced, and to function as a unit with everyone pulling in the same direction over the long-term with stability, purpose and belief. This requires leadership, direction and purpose at Board level and for the Board to employ the best and right people for the club in all areas.
As president, it's pretty much the same. If the person at the centre of an organisation is seen to be acting for the right reason, that example spreads like ripples from a rock dropped into a pond. It's all about the power that comes from within.
5/10
Ben Gale coming back as club president would give Richmond a real chance of finding the sort of motivation and focus it needs. So, I believe, would Wayne Campbell as coach.
Lots of romanticism there with the 'Richmond people' but where's the substance? Benny has said no in the past. Balme's said no to leaving Geelong. Cambo is very inexperienced compared to other younger coaches who have go senior gigs. Clarkson, Lyon, Ratten and Knights coached their own clubs/teams at lower levels as well as being assistant coaches at AFL clubs.
