Former Melbourne defender Ryan Ferguson has added valuable experience to Richmond’s coaching panel, according to the Tigers’ VFL coach Tim Clarke.

Ferguson is the latest former AFL player to join Richmond’s coaching ranks, following the recent additions of Max Bailey (Hawthorn), Andrew McQualter (St Kilda and Gold Coast) and Ben Rutten (Adelaide).

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Ferguson played 47 games for the Demons from 2003-2007, before joining SANFL club West Adelaide, where he played for a further six seasons.

The 33-year-old joined Richmond late last year on a part-time basis as a VFL defensive coach, while also assisting with some AFL coaching duties.

“’Ferg’ has been fantastic.  He’s coming along to two or three of the AFL sessions a week, and comes to all VFL training,” Clarke told Roar Vision.

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“He’s got a wealth of knowledge, not only from his own experience as an AFL player, but he’s played under some very good coaches as well.

“To get him across was a great win for our footy club, and will really help with the development of our young VFL defenders, but also our young AFL defenders, who are going to be playing week in, week out in our VFL team.”

Richmond’s VFL program has received a boost with the announcement last week that property developer Caydon had joined the Club as joint-major VFL development partner for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.