RICHMOND president Peggy O'Neal has defended the club's decision to select her as a board-appointed director as elections begin on Monday.
O'Neal is entering what will be her final term as president, if changes to the club's constitution limiting board terms are approved at next month's annual general meeting.
Her tenure for three more years has been guaranteed by the board, which can re-appoint one director ahead of elections each year.
O'Neal has been selected by her fellow directors this year, with fellow incumbents Kerry Ryan and Emmett Dunne forced to seek re-appointment by the members.
"The board determined some time ago that I would be the appointed director this rotation," O'Neal said in a column for members on Monday.
"Appointed directors are important to ensure the board has the required skills to carry out its responsibilities.
"It is sensible business practice and it was unanimously approved by members when constitutional amendments to permit appointments were presented at the club AGM four years ago."
O'Neal noted that West Coast's board is made up exclusively by appointed directors and said the Tigers had "a balanced approach that serves our members well".
Richmond will undergo just its second board election in the past seven years, with lawyer Simon Wallace and businessman Peter Casey contesting the two available spots, along with Ryan and Dunne.
Casey's challenge reignites Tigers' board elections
In an extensive prospectus compiled for members, Wallace said the club should explain its decision to extend O'Neal's tenure, rather than allowing her to face member scrutiny.
"I'm sure there are reasons for this decision, and I do hope the club can share them with members," the practising corporate lawyer said.
"I'm unconvinced that this power, vested in the board, was ever designed – or expected by members to be used – to insulate long-serving incumbents from an election, especially when an ostensibly desirable and fresh appointee in Emmett Dunne is presented.
"Leaders should not fear scrutiny or accountability; they should embrace it. I look forward to the club explaining this decision."
Wallace, who is not aligned with any other nominees, pledged to never accept a new term as an appointed director if he is successful in his push to join the board.
A lifelong supporter, he described himself as a candidate with a "profile, background and attitude clearly distinguishable from the current directors".
He noted the club had not won a final under the watch of any current director but strongly objected to recent efforts to dismantle the entire board through a "destructive coup".
"Demanding the resignation of people who have placed the club in its strongest ever off-field position is thoughtless and ridiculous," he said.
Wallace will advocate for the Tigers' jumper to return to a more traditional yellow and black and "not the charcoal and mustard it is now".
He said he would never suggest to Damien Hardwick how to coach, and would expect to be "dismissed entirely" if he did.
The 42-year-old father of three was critical of Hardwick's performance but said deciding on the coaches' future was not a process to be rushed.
"I didn't step up my financial contribution to the club in 2011 because I wanted the club to be in a position to sack coaches, as other clubs have so scandalously done, burning members’ money in the process," he said.
"I want 'Dimma' holding up that cup (and) I hear the words of those close to him who believe he can do so.
"As a director I will do whatever I can to aid him, his colleagues and his players, but he must – like all of us – learn from his mistakes and evolve."
