Ben Rutten could resume AFL career at Richmond after the SACKED Essendon coach eyes assistant role

Sacked Bombers head Ben Rutten could be set for an AFL coaching homecoming at Richmond after footage emerged of the recent Essendon punching bag with Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.

The two held a meeting on Friday at Punt Road, just five days after the 39-year-old was shown the door at the Bombers following their failed attempt to lure Alistair Clarkson to the embattled club.

Rutten could be an ideal replacement for outgoing Tigers assistant Adam Kingsley, who will become the head coach of GWS in 2023.

‘7NEWS understands it was an informal chat with Damien Hardwick and other key Tigers footy staff,’ Channel Seven sport reporter Natalie Yoannidis said. 

With the Tigers now on the hunt for an assistant, Rutten is in the box seat courtesy of his his past involvement at the club.

Managing just 43 games at the helm of Essendon, Rutten showed capability at Richmond from 2015-18, leading the clubs defence to a flag in 2017.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick worked with Rutten from 2015-18, where the club won the flag in 2017

Rutten, known as ‘Truck’ for his hard playing style in his younger years, was regarded as a huge loss at the Tigers when he left to realise his head coaching ambitions at the Bombers.

‘Ben has made a wonderful contribution to our coaching group in his four seasons at our club,’ Tigers legend Neil Balme said at the time.

‘It’s unfortunate that he will leave Richmond at the end of our season, he has built great relationships with both coaches and players, and played an important role in our premiership success last year.’

Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell resigned this week after a mass staff exodus at the club saw the first president, coach and director leave all within seven days

Hardwick stood by Rutten, who was poorly treated by the Bombers throughout a mass of staff exits.

‘Ben Rutten’s a terrific coach, we’ve had him in these four walls, we know what he’s capable of and how well he can do the job,’ the 50-year-old told reporters last week.

‘It’s unfortunate in nature, but what we care about is the person and we hope Ben himself is doing OK.’

The 2002 no. 40 rookie draft made his AFL debut in 2003, kicking three goals in his first three career attempts. 

Rutten (left) hoists teammate Tyson Edwards off the field in his final AFL game in 2010

Rutten played 229 games with the Crows and was selected in the 2005 All Australian side at half-back. 

Xavier Campbell resigned as Essendon’s CEO days after Rutten’s dismissal, with first president Paul Brasher and director Simon Madden walking out amid the Tullamarine turmoil.