Dylan Grimes believes Andrew McQualter is the right man to coach Richmond beyond 2023.
The long-time Tigers assistant currently occupies the hot seat at Punt Road following the shock departure of three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick in May.
McQualter has overseen five wins from seven games since stepping into the main job which has done his chances of landing the gig on a full-time basis no harm at all.
Asked on SEN Breakfast if he would stump up for McQualter regarding the Richmond job, co-captain Grimes replied: “Yeah absolutely. He’s got my vote.”
“I’m sure the board will go through a proper process of doing their due diligence.
“But I think ‘Mini’ has been a senior coach in waiting for a number of years now and seeing him at the helm has just solidified that in my mind.
“I’m sure they’ll do a formal process to see what applicants are out there, but he couldn’t have put his hand up any higher in my opinion.”
The triple premiership defender outlined the attributes that have seen McQualter achieve success so early in his senior coaching career.
“The breath of fresh air that Mini has brought has been great,” Grimes added.
“It feels like it’s exactly what we needed looking back now.
“At the same time, it feels like Mini has been a senior coach in waiting, just waiting for his opportunity for a number of years now.
“It’s been relatively seamless. He’s a great guy, he’s got good relationships with all the players.
“It’s been really good for us. He’s a really well-rounded coach.”
Grimes also explained how McQualter differs from Hardwick who oversaw the club’s most successful era in modern history.
“Dimma’s strength was the ability to get the absolute most out of every player and get us to that really elite level,” he said further.
“That involved that really pointy-end of coaching.
“Mini’s philosophy is a little bit different. It’s a little bit more laissez-faire, a little bit like the shackles are released.
“I feel like the boys are playing a bit more freely at the moment which is a good feeling. It’s an exciting brand to watch and we’re happy to wait and see how it holds up in Mini’s first tail-end of a season.”
The Tigers currently sit 11th on the ladder on 8.5 wins, just two points out of the top eight.
They meet 16th-placed Hawthorn at the MCG this Saturday afternoon as they strive to continue their march towards September under McQualter’s guidance.
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