Richmond’s national recruiting manager Chris Toce dies after battle with cancer

Toce has been battling cancer for some months and had returned to the club after a bout of chemotherapy after believing he was on track to beat the diagnosis.

But his condition worsened without warning and Toce passed away on Tuesday after a short period of time in palliative care.

Richmond CEO Shane Dunne said the club was “devastated”.

“We are devastated for Chris’ family and friends,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with his wife Mel and their two children Harry and Sophia.

“We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time, and of course into the future.”

List boss Blair Hartley will step up for the club and Toce’s work across the year identifying a talent order will not be lost.

But with five weeks until the national draft the club would have conducted a bevy of second and third interviews with players who they have recently spoken to across the AFL national combine in the week after the Grand Final.

The news rocked staff inside Richmond as the club prepares to take selections on November 20-21 in its most important draft period in two decades.

The Tigers this week secured picks one, six, 10, 11, 18, 20, 23 and 24 and 30 in trades involving Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli and Liam Baker after the trio of premierships stars asked to move on from Punt Road.

Industry figures have been aware of Toce’s diagnosis for some time but he had been hopeful he would make a full recovery and his cancer battle had not been public at his request.

Hartley said Toce had quickly settled at the Tigers.

“We were so excited to bring Chris to the club in March, because of the fantastic person he was and his accomplishments in the AFL industry as a recruiter,” he said.

“Chris quickly established himself as a key part of our team. His professionalism and commitment to the job was only matched by his warm and easy-going nature that enabled him to quickly build relationships across the entire club.

“He was a Richmond person and his passion for the club and our future was evident from day one. We will miss him dearly.”

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Now the Tigers, which lost their premiership recruiting boss Matt Clarke to West Coast this year, will have to pick as many as eight players inside the top 24 draft picks without their head recruiter.

Toce was St Kilda’s recruiter but was pushed out last year after a brilliant draft where he recruited five players who all made their debuts this year.

He had also secured players including Nasiah Wangeneen Milera, Mattaes Phillipou, Darcy Wilson and academy selections Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager.

Originally published as Richmond’s national recruiting manager Chris Toce dies after battle with cancer