RICHMOND supporters in Bendigo, Echuca and Shepparton will soon get a chance to share in premiership glory as the Tigers embark on AFL premiership cup tour.
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Club officials and selected premiership stars are expected to accompany the cup as it goes on show in five states and the Northern Territory during October and November.
The tour lands in Echuca on October 29, before stopping in Shepparton on November 5.
Bendigo has been confirmed as a destination, with a date still be confirmed.
Richmond claimed its 11th AFL/VFL premiership when it defeated Adelaide Crows by 48 points on September 30, breaking a 37-year flag drought.
Best-on-ground in the triumph was former Campbells Creek and Castlemaie footballer Dustin Martin.
The 26-year-old this season became the first player drafted from the Bendigo Pioneers to win the Brownlow Medal.
Martin was drafted to Richmond from the Pioneers with pick No.3 in 2009.
The Tigers have strong links to the Bendigo and central Victoria regions through a blossoming partnership with Bendigo Thunder Women’s Football Club.
The partnership, which aims to strengthen the pathways to the elite level for talented female footballers, was initiated earlier this year.
It also provides Thunder’s players and coaches with development opportunities with Richmond coaches, players and staff and support.
Bendigo Thunder chairman Ian Ross said the club had been buoyed by the announcement last month that Richmond had been granted an AFLW licence and would enter the elite national competition in 2020.
He said the announcement had caught the Thunder by surprise but generated plenty of excitement and inquiries within the region.
“Bendigo Thunder and Richmond Football Club have formed a good connection and the Richmond VFLW will have a strong presence in Bendigo, in turn creating opportunities for Bendigo Thunder players and indeed many other players in the region,” he said.
“Lots of water has to go under the bridge, however the alliance with Richmond certainly puts us in a great place and further discussions are scheduled to take place immediately following clarification from the AFL covering the new rules that will apply to the VFLW competition.”
Premiership cup tour dates: Mildura – Saturday, October 28 (11am-3pm); Echuca – Sunday, October 29 (11am-3pm); Shepparton – Sunday, November 5 (11am-3pm); Bendigo – to be confirmed.
