ON-FIELD influence will be the priority when Richmond selects its leadership group this season, potentially opening the door for star forward Jack Riewoldt to return.
Riewoldt has been among the Tigers' most influential players over the past seven years, leading the club's goalkicking every year and winning All Australian selection in 2010 and 2015.
The demonstrative forward has not been part of the Tigers' leadership group for three years, however, after he was dropped at the start of 2014.
Curiously, last week he was seated next to coach Damien Hardwick in the team photo.
New head of football Neil Balme outlined the Tigers' approach to their leadership vote, saying the players would have a "huge say" in the 2017 structure.
He said the club, which opens its JLT Community Series campaign against Adelaide on Friday night, would prioritise on-field influence ahead of off-field leadership.
"Our key for 2017 – what we need to do more than anything else – is [to] be as good as we can be on the field," Balme told the club's website.
"We should be saying, 'What do we do with our leadership to make sure we're influencing on-field more than anything else'?
"It doesn’t mean off-field’s not important, but it might be, right, exactly what do we need now?"
The Tigers' on-field focus could also open the door for club champion and 2016 All Australian Dustin Martin to be selected in the leadership group for the first time.
The 2016 leadership group included skipper Trent Cotchin, joint vice-captains Brett Deledio and Ivan Maric as well as star defender Alex Rance and half-forward Shane Edwards.
While the players will have a big say in their new leadership structure, Balme said the decision would involve coach Damien Hardwick, his assistant coaches, and CEO Brendon Gale.
"It’s very much a club issue. What does the club need? What do the coaches need?" Balme said.
"Certainly, the players will have a huge say. But it won’t just necessarily be a pure vote on who do you want to be captain, or in the leadership group. It’ll be who they want to run those parts of the program."
Meanwhile, the Tigers have placed departed defender Chris Yarran on the long-term injury list for 2017, allowing them to upgrade a rookie ahead of round one.
Yarran retired after the club's final list lodgement last November and remains a listed player.
The move to place him on the long-term injury list could create opportunities for young Sudanese-born tall forward Mabior Chol, who has impressed over the pre-season.
