Richmond VFL coach Jack Madgen is not one to shy away from a fresh challenge.

So, naturally, a new role at the Swinburne Centre, to lead the Tigers' VFL side, after a stint at the Crows, was everything he wanted and more.

Madgen played 49 AFL games for Collingwood between 2018 and 2022 after being recruited as a Category B Rookie from the Cairns Taipans (NBL).

The 32-year-old has since been captain of Adelaide’s SANFL team, playing 53 games across the past three years.

Now, he takes on a role left by newly appointed AFL Assistant Coach, Jake Batchelor, with the support of some important mentors along the way.

"I'm loving learning from the other new development coaches, 'Doc' [Taylor Duryea] and 'Punky' [Luke Breust]. 'Ziebs' [Jack Ziebell] has really taken us under his wing and helped us develop," Madgen told Richmond Media.

"I'm learning a lot."

But what exactly drew Madgen to Tigerland? Some retired Richmond greats, of course.

"I worked at another club with Shane Edwards [triple-premiership Tiger] and Dan Jackson [156-gamer]. Two great Richmond men," he said.

"'Shedda [Edwards] would always talk so glowingly about this place. I was looking for a chance to get into that development coach space, and Shedda introduced me to Tim Livingstone [GM of Football Performance] and Blair Hartley [Executive General Manager - Football Talent].

"Outside looking in, this was really a place you want to be. That was the initial process, then you add all of our young talent. It's really exciting and a good challenge."

On field, the new coach has already formed positive opinions on the list.

"I have played against the Richmond VFL side plenty of times, and they looked like they were having so much more fun than us. So when this opportunity came knocking, I wanted to be a part of that and add to that culture," Madgen said.

Madgen joins Richmond after a stint as an Adelaide AFLW assistant coach, while also coaching their Crows Boys Academy and captaining their SANFL side.

For him, the opportunity to connect with fresh faces has driven him in his new role.

"Coaching in general is so much about relationships. Coaching is something I've always wanted to do, so to get that experience and dip my toe in the water (in Adelaide) was awesome," Madgen said.

"On the playing side of things, after I finished playing AFL, going back to the SANFL in a leadership and mentorship role, it was awesome to figure out what worked and not focus on myself as much. Instead, focus on development and helping others, on an on-field perspective. I learnt a lot from that."

Since joining Richmond, Madgen has had the opportunity to put his learnings to the test, working closely with the AFL coaching group to start building his own VFL game plan.

"I've had a few meetings with [Batchelor]. But we've also got Sam Lonergan, who has coached plenty of SANFL and Chris Newman, who has had success at Box Hill Hawks. As well as working with 'Batch', there's those other coaches to lean on [and ask], 'what did you guys do?', 'what worked well for you?'," Madgen said.

"There are a lot of good resources in that respect, and experience that I've definitely leant on to help me build a good program. There are some standout performers and a lot of new guys as well, 20-odd new faces.

"It's been really good to see those guys come back in good condition and fit. I can't fault their energy, intent and effort, which is awesome, because if you don't have to coach that, I think you can be really successful."

As for what lies ahead, the new coach already feels at home, learning how he can utilise a mix of experience and youth in the VFL program.

"It's a good challenge, and you need to buy in from the players, the Club and coaching staff to really excel in that area. We definitely have that here," Madgen said.

"We've got Harry Scott, 'Streeta' [Lachlan Street] in his seventh or eighth year, same as Moey [Yassine] going into his fourth or fifth year. Having that continuity really helps.

"Then having the culture drivers in the VFL, like Liam George, really bring the two programs together. Although I tell them it's their program, but it's the Club's program.

"When there are AFL boys playing VFL, they're part of our team. I haven't seen anything that would suggest that it won't be awesome next year.

"We're not trying to reinvent the wheel or anything. What works, works. Inside the building, working on that chemistry and camaraderie, and have some fun, because footy is supposed to be fun."