‘We will miss him dearly’: Richmond rocked by sudden death of recruiting boss Chris Toce

Richmond has paid a heartfelt tribute to national recruiting manager Chris Toce, who tragically passed away on Wednesday morning.

The Tigers on Wednesday night confirmed Toce fought a private battle with an “aggressive form of cancer in recent months”.

Toce was surrounded by family when he passed away.

After the Tigers completed the Daniel Rioli trade with Gold Coast on Wednesday afternoon, Richmond football talent boss Blair Hartley spoke to reporters and finished his media conference with a tribute to Toce.

“I just want to send out a shout-out to the Toce family. We’re all thinking of you and we love you very much,” an emotional Hartley said, before walking away.

In a Tigers statement later released, Hartley said the club was in mourning.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Chris’ family, his wife Mel, and two children Sophia and Harry,” Hartley said.

“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.

“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.”

Tigers chief executive Shane Dunne said his club was “devastated” for the Toce family and friends, adding: “We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time, and of course into the future.”

Toce joined Richmond as its recruiting boss in March this season after spending over a decade in the AFL recruiting space with Collingwood (2010-14) and St Kilda (2015-2023).

He was let go by St Kilda in late 2023, despite helping the Saints land Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mattaes Phillipou and Darcy Wilson across three straight drafts.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the Toce family,” the Saints said in a statement.

“Chris was a talented recruiter and a warm and kind friend and colleague to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon also released a statement that read: “On behalf of the AFL our thoughts are with the Richmond Football Club and the wider football industry following the passing of Richmond’s National Recruiting Manager, Chris Toce.”

“Chris was widely respected by everyone in the football community and played a pivotal role in identifying and recruiting talent to the clubs he worked for over the past 15 years.

“We send our deepest sympathies to Chris’ wife Mel and children Harry and Sophia, his extended family and loved ones, along with all the staff and players at the Richmond and St Kilda Football Clubs and the wider AFL recruiting and list management community at this time.”