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AAP
AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

O'Rourke named new Richmond president

Former Richmond president Peggy O'Neal has backed her successor to continue taking the club forward. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Long-serving board member John O'Rourke has been unveiled as Richmond's next president, and he has massive shoes to fill following the three-flag reign of Peggy O'Neal.

O'Neal became the AFL's first female club president in 2013 and helped transform the Tigers into a modern-day powerhouse with flags in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

She will be best remembered by Richmond fans for ending the club's 37-year flag drought.

O'Neal announced in March that 2022 will be her final year in charge of the Tigers, and she has since been appointed chair of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.

Richmond announced on Friday that O'Rourke would take over as president following O'Neal's last duty of business at the Annual General Meeting on December 19.

O'Rourke joined the Richmond board in November 2015.

He is the founder and chairman of Plenary, a developer, investor and manager of infrastructure projects with businesses across Asia Pacific, North America and the UK.

"John has outstanding business acumen," O'Neal said.

"His appointment was unanimous and ensures a seamless transition into the next phase of this club's evolution."

The Tigers also announced club director Kerry Ryan has retired from the board.

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