Kayne Pettifer Biography

Kayne Pettifer has overcome personal tragedy to win back-to-back flags with Kyabram.

Pettifer was the Goulburn Valley Football League's leading goalkicker this season with 93 in 21 games.

The 35-year-old's uncle and aunt were killed in a car accident in northern Victoria a fortnight ago, only two weeks after another of his uncles died in similar circumstances.

Pettifer's father, Mick, also lost his life in a car crash near Wagga Wagga in the ex-Tiger forward's last year at the club.

"It's been tough for my family and my wife, and you wouldn't wish what happened to us in the last month upon anyone – they were three absolute tragedies," Pettifer said.

"I just want to thank (coach and former Melbourne rookie) Paul Newman and the footy club for their support.

"To come back to my home club and win back-to-back premierships … I'm going to cherish this dearly."

Richmond has cut Graham Polak, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Cleve Hughes, Nathan Brown, Mark Coughlan, Kayne Pettifer, Adam Pattison, Dean Putt and Jarrod Silvester.

A split kneecap has meant the end of Tiger Kayne Pettifer's season but the forward says his best days are still ahead of him.

"I just want to get back to playing AFL footy where I belong," he said.

"I'm nowhere near finished and just want to get back playing, hopefully with Richmond. If not Richmond, well, I just want to play.

"I know I've got another three or four years of good footy left in me."

Interim Richmond coach Jade Rawlings says opting for youth in his first selection does not spell the end for experienced players.

Joel Bowden, Jordie McMahon, Troy Simmonds, Mark Coughlan and Kayne Pettifer were all axed.

But Rawlings said on Friday ahead of training at Punt Road he had talked extensively with all concerned and no problems existed with any of them.

"We haven't put a line through any person on our list,'' Rawlings said.

"I said to all the guys, 'There is no cap on whether it is one week, eight weeks or never again'.

"They will need to go to Coburg and do something about elements of the game that we have discussed with them to be able to give them a chance to be able to come back in the senior side.''

Joel Bowden, in particular, has received strong support from Richmond supporters after his axing.

"I totally understand why he's got plenty of support - I'd be disappointed for him if there wasn't some support," Rawlings said.

"It's been over probably a month - he's been on the borderline once or twice this year already, and to his credit he's fought back really well.

"He can easily generate the ball, he's shown that, but there's just some elements of his game he needs to tighten up."

Rawlings denied he was trying to make a statement with the axings.

"It is a lot of changes from one week to another, but we want to move forward, picking a team we think is going to help shape the future of the footy club and also reward form," Rawlings said.

"People ask 'Is it a statement?' - I don't know if it's a statement, it's just a fact that a lot of those players who are out of the side now haven't been in great form."

Richmond caretaker coach Jade Rawlings clearly signaled the club's intentions for the rest of the season on Thursday with five experienced campaigners dropped in favour of youth ahead of round 12 of the Toyota AFL Premiership season.

Troy Simmonds, Mark Coughlan, Joel Bowden, Jordan McMahon and Kayne Pettifer were all omitted after Rawlings' first selection meeting in charge at Punt Road.

Nathan Lovett-Murray and Mathew Stokes are facing time on the sidelines after the match review panel's assessment of the weekend's action.

In-form Mathew Stokes must sit out Sunday's game against Essendon unless he successfully challenges a striking charge at the AFL Tribunal tonight.

A poor record also came back to haunt Essendon defender Nathan Lovett-Murray when he was outed for three matches for a late hit on Richmond's Kayne Pettifer.

Kayne Pettifer will most likely line up for Coburg reserves for his first match back since rupturing his ACL in 2008.

Richmond announces their leadership group for 2008 consisting of Kane Johnson returning as captain with Chris Newman and Nathan Foley the vice-captains.

Rounding out the leadership group for 2008 will be Troy Simmonds, Nathan Brown, Joel Bowden and Kayne Pettifer.

"It's a great sign for the club to see some of our younger generation emerging as leaders and wanting to take on more responsibility," Tigers coach Terry Wallace said.

"Both Chris and Nathan are very hard working, set great examples, and are very much respected within the group. We look forward to them helping shape the future of our club".