Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has expressed delight that Mark Williams will be continuing in his key role as the Club’s head development coach.

Williams, who coached Port Adelaide to its inaugural AFL premiership in 2004, was in the running for the St Kilda coaching job, which, ultimately was awarded to Alan Richardson.

“Obviously, Mark has got a proven record as a coach.  He’s an outstanding development coach, a nurturer of talent, who really gets in our boys’ faces and demands improvement,” Gale told 3AW’s ‘Sports Today’ program.

“We would have been disappointed to have lost him, particularly so late in the year, but clearly he would have gone with our blessing.

“Look, he’s really happy with us, he’s very settled, he’s having an impact, he’s valued, and he’s got great relationships, particularly with our coaches – a lot of history with the likes of Damien (Hardwick) and Brendon Lade, as well as Blair Hartley (the Club’s list and opposition analyst).

“We’re thrilled to have kept him, but I think Mark’s equally as thrilled and settled here as well.

“He naturally would have been a bit disappointed, but he’s moved on pretty quickly.”