BRISBANE Lions assistant coach Adrian Fletcher wants to coach Richmond next season.
The veteran of 231 AFL games with four clubs says the time is right after spending most of the decade working under some of the best coaches in the business at Geelong (2004), Collingwood (2005-2007) and the Lions (2008 - 2009).
"I've been an assistant for seven years," Fletcher said on Wednesday.
"There's a time in your life when you've got to start putting your name out there to make sure that people understand where you want to go in life.
"I want to be a senior coach, no doubt about that. I've learned off three coaches, Mick Malthouse, Bomber [Mark] Thompson and Leigh Matthews, who have seven premierships, so although I'm not a premiership player I've been in the coaching arena where I understand how it works."
Fletcher was a playing journeyman, making his debut for Geelong in 1989 before moving on to St Kilda in 1992.
He played 107 games with the Brisbane Bears/Lions from 1993-1997 before heading to Fremantle where he was captain for two seasons before retiring at the end of 2001.
The former midfielder, considered a rugged, prolific ball winner, is in his second season at the Lions and is focused on experiencing another finals campaign from the coaches box before spreading his wings.
"I'm concentrating on Brisbane. We've got a chance to play in finals and we haven't done that for five years, so my energy is going into this footy club," Fletcher said.
While there are at least two coaching vacancies at North Melbourne and Richmond, Fletcher says the Tigers' role is top of his wish list.
"I put in for the Richmond role but they've had many applicants so we'll see what happens," Fletcher said.
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