Richmond premiership player Jack Graham has resisted rival AFL offers to sign a new three-year deal with the Tigers.
The 22-year-old had been linked with a move to Carlton, but Richmond have confirmed the midfielder will remain at Punt Rd until the end of the 2023 season.
“I love the club for the culture, the boys, and obviously footy is the most important thing, but all the things off-field that I enjoy,” Graham said.
“It’s a great place to be, we have so much fun, and I can’t picture myself being anywhere else.”
Graham has played 12 games this season after being injured in last year’s preliminary final and missing the Tigers’ second premiership in three years.
In just his fifth game, Graham starred with three goals in Richmond’s drought-breaking 2017 grand final win against Adelaide.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have announced key assistant coach Justin Leppitsch is leaving professional football and will step away from the club at season’s end.
The former Brisbane Lions head coach has had two successful stints with the Tigers, having been at the club for eight of the past 11 years.
Former star defender Alex Rance has credited Leppitsch with helping him become a five-time All Australian.
“I have always known that eventually this time would come, and I would move on and do other things in my life,” Leppitsch said.
“In many ways the current climate expedited something I have been thinking about for some time and it will help the club manage through this difficult period.”
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Leppitsch’s knowledge would be sorely missed around the club.
“Leppa would challenge, provoke thinking and innovate. He is a great teacher and has been an important part of our coaching team,” Hardwick said.
“He can be incredibly proud of the contribution he made to our club.”