Richmond coach Terry Wallace hinted at Wayne Campbell’s appointment to a coaching role at Tigerland in an article for the Club’s website, which appeared in the week the four-time Jack Dyer Medallist announced his playing retirement, back in 2005.

Campbell, who has spent the past couple of years in an assistant coaching role with the Western Bulldogs, was late last week appointed an assistant coach at the club where he played 297 games in an illustrious 15-year AFL career, much to Wallace’s delight.

In the August ‘05 article, Wallace sang the praises of Campbell the player, and gave reasons why Campbell the coach, could excel.

“I am very pleased to have had the opportunity of coaching Wayne, albeit for only a brief time.  As so often happens, your opinion of a player rises when you see them at close quarters,” Wallace said.

“Wayne’s knowledge of the game and use of the ball was far better than what I had presumed, looking in from the outside. 

“Even though it’s his last year, and the body has slowed down, his value and contribution to the team – especially early, when we were trying to re-establish ourselves – was first class.

“. . . anyone who wins four Best and Fairests at the one football club has a huge stake in the history of that club, and deserves the right to be considered a champion.

“Wayne, throughout his career, has not been the most gifted athlete, or a high-flying mark, or prodigious kick.  But he had all the qualities I love in a player – a footy brain, strong will, perseverance and leadership.  These are qualities you can rely on week in, week out as a coach, and they hold a player in very good stead over many years of AFL football.

“To finish in the top three in the Club’s Best and Fairest on eight different occasions, to me, suggests that Wayne Campbell was a player that every coach could rely on to give his best each time he stepped out on to the field.

“I have a feeling that Wayne will not be lost to AFL football.  When I listen to him talk, he has strong, well-thought-out opinions on the game. 

“He is a lateral thinker and still has a passion for the sport he started playing as a young boy.

“After some time off overseas, he will come back to Australia refreshed and ready for new challenges.

“If football is his chosen pathway, I believe he would make a great coach or administrator.

“Personally, I believe if this is to happen, he should broaden his outlook and cut his teeth at another club, as all of us can become far too insular, having spent all our time in the one environment.

“If the Richmond Football Club remains his passion, however, then those of us at Tigerland will assist him in any way possible . . .”