Richmond Recruiting Manager Matthew Clarke says a trio of former Gold Coast players had a hand in persuading the club’s hierarchy to recruit delisted St Kilda forward Maverick Weller.
Weller was teammates with Tom Lynch, Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia during his time at the Suns - all three of which have landed at Punt Road from the expansion club.
Clarke believes the 26-year-old can fill a void on the club's list after a number of fringe players departed during the trade period.
“We’re really excited to have Mav (Weller),” Clarke told SEN.
“As soon as he left St Kilda we had our three Suns boys – Tom (Lynch), Cads (Josh Caddy) and Dion (Prestia) straight on the phone to our list manager, Blair Hartley, saying we’ve got to get this guy.
“We think it’s a good home for Mav, we think he can give us some really good depth considering some of the boys that went out in the trade period to other clubs that needed a chance.
“We’re really excited to have Mav on board.”
Weller, who has 121 AFL games under his belt, will be recruited by Richmond under the AFL’s new Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Rule.