An unidentified group of Richmond supporters - including two premiership players - is calling for a spill of the Tigers board.
The group sent out a press release on Monday morning announcing a media conference at 11am, to be held at Leo Berry's gym in Richmond.
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"A new group of prominent Richmond Football Club identities, including two premiership players, is calling for a spill of the RFC board, declaring it's high time the focus of the club returns to its core business – winning football and contesting premierships," the statement read.
There has been speculation that Bruce Monteath is one of the premiership players involved.
A group of Richmond FC identities to launch a board challenge today. Prominent Tigers say Bruce Monteath involved @mmmhotbreakfast.
— Seb Costello (@SebCostello9) September 4, 2016
Geoff Raines' name has also been mentioned in connection with the challenge.
The statement started with a header claiming that "success or failure starts at the top."
This call for a spill is not connected to the group that planned a bloodless coup earlier this year, which was made up of prominent Richmond families and property developer Joe Russo.
As reported by Fairfax Media at the time, members of long-standing Richmond families, including the Mandies, the Silks, the Ralphs and the Clemengers, attended a Malvern Hotel dinner in August and were addressed by Russo and others.
Neither is this challenge connected to lawyer Simon Wallace, a disenchanted Richmond fan who wants to stand for a place on the board. Wallace released details of his candidacy last week.
It is understood that the unidentified group will run a full ticket to take over the entire board, including an alternative candidate for president.
Peggy O'Neal has been president of the club since 2013.
The turbulence at board level comes after Richmond plummeted from the top eight this year, winning just eight games. While coach Damien Hardwick is contracted for the next two years, several of his assistants have lost their jobs. Significant change is tipped for the club's playing list.
Richmond have already sacked three assistant coaches and have not yet reached a decision on assistant coach Mark P. Williams, who remains in negotiations with the club but has also been encouraged to seek a position at another club in 2017.
Brendon Lade has been offered a one-year deal, but Richmond have given him their blessing to seek a more secure deal elsewhere.
with Daniel Cherny
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