Richmond football talent manager Blair Hartley has fought back tears while paying tribute to Chris Toce following his shock death.
Richmond's national recruiting manager Toce died on Wednesday morning surrounded by his family.
Toce had been fighting a private battle with an aggressive form of cancer in recent months.
Hartley fronted the media on Wednesday evening to talk about Richmond's busy trade period.
But his voice broke with emotion at the end when paying tribute to Toce.
"I just want to send a shout-out to the Toce family," Hartley said.
"We're all thinking of you and we love you very much."
Toce arrived at Richmond in March this year, having spent nine years at St Kilda (2015-2023) and five with Collingwood (2010-14).
A renowned talent identifier, Toce was elevated to St Kilda's National Head of Recruiting in February, 2022.
"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," Hartley 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."
Tigers CEO Shane Dunne added his condolences.
"We are devastated for Chris' family and friends. Our thoughts are with his wife Mel and their two children Harry and Sophia," Dunne said.
"We will do everything we can to support them at this incredibly difficult time, and of course into the future."
