The news that the Richmond Football Club is facing a potentially serious board challenge has come at a time — in AFL terms — of unprecedented financial and political stability and relative, albeit frustratingly modest, on-field success for the club.

It hints at divisions across the current table of directors and is surely a threat to the authority of two-year president Peggy O'Neal.

The Richmond board challenge is surely a threat to the authority of two-year president Peggy O'Neal. Credit:Pat Scala

In other words it should send a shiver of fear up the spine of every Richmond supporter who has watched the Tigers' rebuilding that began under Gary March. That O'Neal would be undermined so soon after taking charge when her alleged misdeeds amount to a lower profile than her predecessors, another elimination final defeat and the failure to secure Adam Treloar is laughable.

More concerning is the ongoing suggestion that the recalcitrant candidate Joseph Russo, a property developer, is being backed by sitting directors. For the Richmond board to be at internal odds with the coach Damien Hardwick coming out of contract should be a matter of grave concern.