Richmond development coach Xavier Clarke remains hopeful that Sydney Stack could return to the club.
The talented Stack struggled to force his way into the Tigers’ best 22 in season 2022, adding just two games to his senior tally after seven outings in 2021.
He has played 35 games over four seasons and has had his share of off-field troubles but there is no denying his talent, as evidenced by his impressive debut season in 2019 when third in Rising Star voting.
The out-of-contract Stack has reportedly returned home to Perth without an offer forthcoming from the Tigers but Clarke, who has worked closely with Richmond’s VFL team, is keen for him to get another chance.
“I think we’ll give him another chance, at this stage, from my understanding,” Clarke told SEN’s Fridays in the Top End.
“I’m not too sure what that looks like.
“Hopefully if we do, he takes it with both hands and we see the Sydney Stack that we love to see.
“We all want him to play, there is no doubt he’s one of the most talented players on our list. We say that all the time.
“We all know ‘Stacky’ is highly talented and he’s still figuring out what it takes to be an elite AFL player, that’s the reality.
“He has improved each year that he has come back and if he does get an opportunity again next year, we want him to come back day one and make a statement.
“There is no magic in that the players who have good pre-seasons generally have good seasons.
“His challenge is now, this time of the year, what he is doing away from the football club.
“He is trying his hardest and we all want him to play and do well.
“There is a standard and he has to meet us at that standard.”
Stack played 15 VFL matches this year, averaging 15.5 disposals and kicking 16 goals.
His two AFL games in 2022 came against West Coast in Round 7 and as an unused medi-sub against Collingwood in Round 8.