Richmond has confirmed that assistant coach Blake Caracella will depart the club at season’s end.
The highly-rated Caracella is set to return to his former club Essendon where he played 126 games between 1997 and 2002, including the 2000 premiership. He will take up the role as assistant coach to John Worsfold.
“We thank Blake for his contribution to Richmond, he has been an integral member of our coaching group for the past three seasons,” Richmond’s GM of Football Neil Balme told richmondfc.com.au.
“Blake will remain in his role at the Club until the end of our season, and beyond that we wish him and his family all the best for his next challenge.”
Essendon’s GM of Football Dan Richardson told essendonfc.com.au: “We are thrilled Blake has indicated his desire to join our club next season.
“We respect he is currently contracted and committed to the Richmond Football Club. We thank the Tigers for their understanding and as such, Blake will commence his role with the Bombers at the start of our 2020 pre-season campaign.”
Caracella joined the Tigers at the end of 2016 and was a vital part of Damien Hardwick’s coaching team that guided the club to its drought-breaking premiership in 2017.