With the announcement of Jade Rawlings taking over as Richmond caretaker coach and the move of Craig McRae to the role of Coburg Tigers Coach, the Richmond Football Club is pleased to announce that Kane Johnson will move into a development role after his retirement from football today.
 
“I dearly would have loved to play until the end of the year but my ongoing issues with my knee have forced me to reassess the situation and make the decision earlier than expected,” Johnson said.
 
“It is the start of a new era at the club and as I had no intention of playing on next year, the timing was right to step aside and play some of the new generation of players,” Johnson said.
 
“Kane has been an extraordinary presence both on and off the field during his time at Richmond and he should be commended in particular for the role he has played mentoring our young players,” CEO Steven Wright said.
 
“I am pleased to announce that Kane will stay on at the club and help out in our Player Development area and this is in recognition of the tremendous skill set and contemporary experience he will bring to the position,” Wright said.
 
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank both the Adelaide and Richmond Football Clubs for giving me the opportunity to play for two great clubs. I have met some outstanding people over the journey and really appreciate the terrific support they have shown me,” Johnson said.
 
“Kane has been a great leader at our club and although we will miss his presence on the field, it will be exciting he is still at the club in an off field capacity,” Matthew Richardson said.
 
“Kane Johnson has been a fantastic servant of this footy club and I have valued his support and friendship shown to me over the years and I look forward to working with him in his new role,” captain Chris Newman said.
 
 
Kane Johnson profile
 
Age: 31
Height: 187cm
Weight: 90kg
Position: Midfielder
Draft history: Pick 27 in the 1995 National Draft by the Adelaide Crows
Games for the Crows (1996-2002): 104
Goals for the Crows: 44
Honours at Adelaide: Dual premiership player (1997-98)
Games for Richmond (2003-08): 116
Goals for Richmond: 32
Honours at Tigerland: Club captain 2005-08, Jack Dyer Medallist 2006, runner up 2003 and 2004.
Games as Richmond captain: 77 (making him eighth on the Club’s all-time list for games as captain).