As on-field performance declined in 2016, the Richmond Football Club Board instructed CEO Brendon Gale to undertake a full review of the Club’s football department.

As part of this review, independent external consultant Craig Mitchell, from Ernst & Young’s Sports Advisory Practice, was engaged to assist with the process.

Craig has conducted a range of performance evaluation projects for, and on behalf of, a number of elite sporting organisations, including the AFL Research Board, AFL clubs, Cricket Australia, Australian Sports Commission, Swimming Australia and Sport and Recreation Victoria.

The scope of the review was to examine the key aspects that impact the Club’s on-field performance, and to make recommendations to the Board to help the Club deliver sustained success into the future.

The review – which has taken more than 10 weeks to complete – included data analysis, comparative benchmarking and consultation with key stakeholders within the Club, including representatives from the Board, management, football operations, coaching, IT, list management, player welfare and the playing group.

Gale said the review had been a thorough process and had taken the time required.

“It would have been irresponsible to have outside noise dictate how long this process took,” Gale said. “Some will agree with the change, some won’t, but I can guarantee our members and supporters this change has been carefully considered and is well informed.

“Our fans are angry with what we produced in season 2016 – and they have every right to be. It did not meet our expectations and it demanded we identify what went wrong and how to address these shortcomings.

“Ultimately, this review has identified the need to get the right people in the right roles and to give them the clarity and structure that will allow them to focus on building a culture of success.

“We are absolutely committed to delivering success for our fans and we believe these significant structural changes and appointments will give us the best opportunity to do just that.”

Following the completion of the review, the Richmond Football Club will implement the following changes:

In recognition of the increasing complexities of managing an elite sporting environment, the football department will be re-structured.

To this end, Neil Balme has been appointed to the role of General Manager – Football.

“Neil brings tremendous experience and judgment to the role and a clear understanding of what successful environments look like, having been a part of six Grand Finals and three premierships as a leading football administrator,” Gale said.

“He has a great capacity to bring people together, make them better individually and collectively, and focus energies on the key aspects that drive football performance. He will now take responsibility for determining how we respond to the findings of the review.

“We have been in discussions with Neil for a number of weeks. He is excited by the challenge that lies ahead and clearly has a passion for a club where his football journey began. We are delighted that he has accepted this new role.”

The Club needs greater focus and accountability in list management and recruiting.

As a result, Dan Richardson will now become General Manager – Football Talent, working more closely with the head of list management and recruiting, Blair Hartley, on the Club’s list management strategy. The role will oversee all player contracting, management of the Club’s TPP program, player welfare, list management and recruiting, and the development of the Club’s Next Generation Academy.

“This is clearly a critical element of any high performance environment and we are of the view that it required increased resourcing,” Gale said.

“To have Dan focus completely on these areas significantly elevates our experience in a key part of the business. We also see the Next Generation Academy as an enormous opportunity for the Club to develop talent. We have a significant part of Victoria to work in and it needs to be appropriately managed and resourced.

“Dan will report into Neil, but both will be a part of the Club’s executive team, giving football a more prominent voice in the day-to-day running of the business.”

As part of the changes to the list management and recruiting structure, Matthew Clarke has been promoted to the role of national recruiting manager and will start in that position after the 2016 National Draft. Matthew replaces Francis Jackson, who will remain with the Club in a part-time capacity. The Club expects to make further investments in recruiting in the future.

“Matthew has a great understanding of the recruiting landscape and will now have responsibility for the development of our strategy,” Gale said. “Francis has been a great servant of the Club and we thank him for his contribution in that role over a long period of time.”

As previously advised, the Club has reviewed its coaching structure and, as a result, assistant coaches Ross Smith and Greg Mellor, along with senior development coach Mark Williams, were not offered new contracts.

New appointments to the coaching panel will be made in due course. In addition, the Club’s development and leadership programs, and the structures that support them, will be addressed as a priority by the new General Manager – Football.

In other changes, Luke Meehan has been promoted to the role of strength & conditioning coach, replacing Adam Douglas. Rob Inness has been appointed to the role of rehabilitation coach, taking over from Luke.