RICHMOND has retained in-demand Blake Caracella as part of its coaching staff for 2019 after he signed a contract extension with the club

The Tigers announced on Friday some changes to Damien Hardwick’s staff for next season, but keeping Caracella, a key strategist and advisor to Hardwick, but who was out of contract, was a major priority.

He is listed as an assistant coach, offensive, in the 2019 arrangement.

The key addition is Adam Kingsley, the highly regarded former Port Adelaide and St Kilda assistant, and premiership teammate of Hardwick at Port in 2004, who will take charge of the midfield and stoppages.

Justin Leppitsch moves from the forward line to the backline, the role he had when he first worked under Hardwick and where he made his name as a triple-premiership player for Brisbane.



Leppitsch and development coach Xavier Clarke have also signed contract extensions with the club.



Richmond 2019 coaching structure:

Senior coach: Damien Hardwick

Head of Coaching and Football Performance: Tim Livingstone

Assistant coach, forwards: Andrew McQualter

Assistant coach, midfield/stoppage: Adam Kingsley

Assistant coach, backline: Justin Leppitsch

Assistant coach, offensive: Blake Caracella

VFL and development coach (forwards): Craig McRae

Development coach and VFL midfield: Xavier Clarke

Development coach and VFL backline: Ryan Ferguson