- A premiership duo have been slammed by fans
- Some claimed Tigers fans ‘should be p*****’
- Others claimed their speeches were ‘disgraceful’
Two premiership stars have been blasted by fans on social media for delivering ‘disrespectful and disgraceful’ farewell speeches at Richmond’s best and fairest awards, with some claiming Tigers fans ‘should be p*****’.
The Jack Dyer Medal event perhaps didn’t go as smoothly as many might have hoped, with Tigers president John O’Rourke first appearing to take a thinly veiled swipe at several departing stars.
During his address to members of the audience inside the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, O’Rourke hailed the loyalty of several senior stars who were sticking around to help ‘guide young players through the next phase of [the club’s] growth.’
He went on to pay thanks in particular to Nathan Broad who was handed his second Francis Bourke medal in two years, for staying loyal and signing a new deal.
‘Just by way of example… how fortunate are we to have players of the character of Nathan Broad?’ O’Rourke said.
‘He is a player who was drafted into an era of, well, immediate club success as a mature-age player. I know through this year, I’m sure he could have explored options to see out his career in his home state, or perhaps look for more lucrative options with other clubs, but he chose to extend for a further two years.’
His comments seemingly appear to have been a slight dig towards four wantaway Tigers stars, who could be set to leave ahead of the 2025 season.
Contracted duo Daniel Rioli – who was awarded the Jack Dyer medal last night – and Shai Bolton have both requested trades away from the club, while Liam Baker and Jack Graham are also set to leave the club.
Rioli is reportedly hopeful of reuniting with Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast while Bolton is angling for a move back to WA.
Baker has also made it clear that he wants to join the West Coast, and the Tigers will be hopeful of landing deals for the three stars when the trade period opens next week. Graham, meanwhile, could also depart as a free agent.
During the awards ceremony, Bolton, who was crowned the Tigers’ leading goalkicker for the 2024 season with 34 goals, made an awkward farewell address to the audience.
‘Yeah, I just want to thank my team-mates, thank the coaches, thanks to my partner back at home. She couldn’t be here at the moment because we’ve got another one on the way,’ he said.
‘And yeah… that’s it from me.’
Baker subsequently came to the stage. Grabbing the microphone he added, gesturing to his team-mate, Bolton: ‘I’ll speak for myself and Shai.
‘Nah, actually it’s been a great year and I appreciate everything the club’s done for myself and my family over the years and this year.
‘I’m looking forward to what the club does in the future. I can’t wait to support it. Yeah, it’s going to be great looking in from afar. Thank you for everything and take it easy.’
But the duo were blasted online by fans following the speeches, with one X (formerly Twitter) user writing: ‘These blokes can’t wait to get out of that place. Disgusting speeches, truly disgusting.’
‘Horrendous and classless…I’m not a Richmond fan, but if that’s all they’ve got to offer the club and its supporters, you should be happy they are leaving,’ one added.
‘Couple of flags between these two and that’s all they’ll say,’ another added with a ‘laughing face’ emoji.
‘Probably two of the most disrespectful and disgraceful speeches you will ever see,’ another added.
On the rumours that Baker and Bolton could both be off to WA, another added: ‘The way Liam went up to Shai looks like a couple of blokes who have just signed for West Coast.’
‘If I was a Richmond fan, I’d be very p***** off. These blokes were happy to sign on for the good times, jump ship just like the coach when things go bad. P*** poor,’ another wrote.
