The Richmond Football Club has been left devastated by the sudden passing of their national recruiting manager, Chris Toce. Toce, who had joined the club in March 2024 after a long and successful career in AFL recruitment, passed away following a private battle with an aggressive form of cancer. He was surrounded by his family when he passed.
Richmond’s GM of Football, Blair Hartley, expressed the deep sorrow felt by the club, stating that Toce had quickly become an integral part of the team. Known for his professionalism and warm nature, Toce had already established strong relationships within the club. “We will miss him dearly,” Hartley said, extending heartfelt sympathies to Toce’s wife Mel and his children, Sophia and Harry.
Before joining Richmond, Toce had a distinguished career with both Collingwood and St Kilda, where he played a key role in securing young talent. His contributions to the AFL community were widely recognized, with both Richmond and St Kilda offering tributes to his legacy.
The entire football community, including AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, has shared in the grief, acknowledging Toce’s impact in identifying and recruiting talent over his 15-year career. Richmond CEO Shane Dunne also emphasized the club’s commitment to supporting the Toce family during this difficult time.
The sudden loss of Toce leaves a deep void in the AFL world, as his contributions as both a recruiter and a cherished colleague will not be forgotten
