It was far from the ideal farewell, but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Chris Newman's impact at Punt Road will last long after his departure from the AFL stage.
Newman was important in the first half with two goals before fading late, with the Tigers' 17-point elimination final loss to North Melbourne bringing his 268-game career to a close.
It was a cruel end for the former skipper, who appeared in 232 AFL games before playing in his first final in 2013, which would be the first of three successive elimination final defeats for Richmond.
"It was disappointing ... we were hoping for that fairytale finish," Hardwick said.
"He's been an incredible servant of our footy club and leaves an incredible legacy for our players.
"I think he's probably started something here that's going to end up in something special.
"Unfortunately he will never wear the Richmond jumper again but he has left an enormous legacy at our football club."
The Tigers are left to pick up the pieces without the popular veteran after another all-too-brief appearance in September.
Sunday's result is a bitter pill for all associated with Richmond to swallow but Hardwick maintains his side is in much better shape than it was when it suffered elimination final defeats to Carlton and Port Adelaide.
"The players that we've brought in and the games that we've played have generally been to a high standard," he said.
"Last year we fell over the line really but this year we probably earned our place a lot more but unfortunately when we needed to execute on the day in September we didn't."
Share
