From the Age
By Ross Lewis
January 2, 2005
Rhys Monteath hopes to play with Richmond
Richmond has paved the way for Rhys Monteath to follow in the footsteps of his father Bruce, the last man to captain Richmond to a premiership.
The Tigers have not made any promises to the 20-year-old East Fremantle midfielder, but have organised for him to play the 2005 season with VFL affiliate, the Coburg Tigers. He leaves Perth this week to live in Melbourne.
Although there is no guarantee Monteath's move will lead to a promotion to AFL ranks, the Tigers have encouraged him to play under their supervision to assess whether he has the skills to make it at the next level. Monteath would be eligible to join Richmond under the father-son rule, as his father played the minimum required 100 matches (118 games from 1975-80, including captaining the 1980 premiership team in his final appearance with the Tigers).
With such close ties to Richmond, the Monteaths sought advice as to what Rhys could do to improve his chance of playing in the AFL. "We only spoke to Richmond about what was the best way for me to have a real crack at a chance of playing AFL footy," Rhys Monteath said.
"They said come over and play footy in Melbourne. That is the biggest centre for football and playing over there has always been a dream of mine.
"I get to play under Richmond's eyes, so you never know what might happen.
"If it doesn't all work out in a year or two, I can always come back and continue with East Fremantle.
"But I'm getting to an age where if I really want to have a crack at it, I have to do something now."
Monteath played his first four WAFL games for East Fremantle last season, and was a member of the club's squad that won the 2001 WAFL colts premiership.
By Ross Lewis
January 2, 2005
Rhys Monteath hopes to play with Richmond
Richmond has paved the way for Rhys Monteath to follow in the footsteps of his father Bruce, the last man to captain Richmond to a premiership.
The Tigers have not made any promises to the 20-year-old East Fremantle midfielder, but have organised for him to play the 2005 season with VFL affiliate, the Coburg Tigers. He leaves Perth this week to live in Melbourne.
Although there is no guarantee Monteath's move will lead to a promotion to AFL ranks, the Tigers have encouraged him to play under their supervision to assess whether he has the skills to make it at the next level. Monteath would be eligible to join Richmond under the father-son rule, as his father played the minimum required 100 matches (118 games from 1975-80, including captaining the 1980 premiership team in his final appearance with the Tigers).
With such close ties to Richmond, the Monteaths sought advice as to what Rhys could do to improve his chance of playing in the AFL. "We only spoke to Richmond about what was the best way for me to have a real crack at a chance of playing AFL footy," Rhys Monteath said.
"They said come over and play footy in Melbourne. That is the biggest centre for football and playing over there has always been a dream of mine.
"I get to play under Richmond's eyes, so you never know what might happen.
"If it doesn't all work out in a year or two, I can always come back and continue with East Fremantle.
"But I'm getting to an age where if I really want to have a crack at it, I have to do something now."
Monteath played his first four WAFL games for East Fremantle last season, and was a member of the club's squad that won the 2001 WAFL colts premiership.
