Jade Rawlings has signed on as an Assistant Coach with the Lions after spending the past three seasons with the Richmond Football Club.
The former Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne key position player joined the Tigers as an Assistant Coach at the end of 2006 after retiring from an AFL playing career which produced 148 games and 96 goals.
Following the resignation of Richmond Senior Coach Terry Wallace midway through the 2009 season, Rawlings was appointed the Tigers' caretaker coach for the remaining 11 matches.
Craig McRae will also move from Richmond back to the Lions as a Development Coach - rejoining the Club he played 195 games and kicked 232 goals for over a decade.
He was a popular member of the Lions' playing group and fulfilled an integral role as a hard tackling small forward during the Club's triple premiership triumphs.
Following his retirement at the end of 2004, McRae enjoyed a successful stint as coach of the Queensland U18s side which culminated in them winning the 2006 U18 National Championships.
He was later lured to Richmond where he performed the role of Player Development Coach for the past two seasons.
McRae also took the coaching reins of Richmond's VFL affiliate - the Coburg Tigers - when Rawlings was elevated to caretaker Senior Coach back in June.
Lions Senior Coach Michael Voss was thrilled to welcome both Rawlings and former team-mate McRae to the Club's Football Department.
"We are really pleased that Jade and Craig have decided to join the Lions because we strongly believe that they will be a terrific asset for our playing group," Voss said.
"Although he is only 31, Jade has already spent a few years in the coaching system and has gained invaluable experience this season in a senior AFL role."
"Craig will obviously be no stranger to the Club and I'm sure our members and supporters will be rapt to have him back in the Lions den."
