Editing Richmond Football Club (section)

===Lost opportunities (1996–2004)===
The anticipated success failed to materialise, partly because Richmond allowed the coaching position to again become unstable. With over a year still to run on his contract, John Northey demanded a contract extension that the club refused. This was because of a rumour that some people with an association with the club were pursuing Essendon coach and former Richmond premiership player [[Kevin Sheedy (Australian footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]]. So Northey walked out on Richmond and accepted a longer-term contract to coach the [[Brisbane Bears]]. Richmond, caught short, appointed the Bears' ex-coach [[Robert Walls]] for 1996. After several humiliating thrashings in 1997, [[Robert Walls]] became the first Richmond coach to be sacked mid-season. After two-and-a-half seasons under [[Jeff Gieschen]], the club appointed ex-St Kilda captain [[Danny Frawley]]. After a Preliminary Final appearance in Frawley's second season, Richmond overestimated the strength of the list and settled for trading for established players rather than drafting youth. Over the next three seasons, the team managed just 18 wins. The administration continued to support Frawley and ensured that he would see out his contract, a far cry from the way many of his predecessors were treated. However, midway through the 2004 season (a season in which Richmond only managed 4 wins, and lost their last 14 H&A matches), Frawley announced he would be relinquishing his role as Richmond coach at seasons' end.