Peter Sumich has urged Richmond to stand by Sydney Stack with the young Tiger to spend Christmas behind bars in Perth.
Stack was arrested, charged and refused bail for allegedly breaching Western Australia’s strict self-quarantine protocols last Saturday.
“It’s sad. You don’t like to see any kid in that situation,” Sumich told SEN Drive.
“He’s got to learn from his mistakes, and he’ll have some quiet time behind bars over here for a little while, and hopefully it just clicks for him.
“I really rate the kid – as a person as well. I know he’s had a couple of hiccups.
“Hopefully Richmond can hang onto him and keep giving him a go.”
Sumich, who coached Stack at under 18 level, says the 20-year-old should be given another chance by the Tigers.
It’s the second time Stack has landed himself in hot water this year after he and teammate Callum Coleman-Jones were suspended for 10 games and sent home from the club’s Queensland hub for breaking the AFL's COVID-19 rules.
“I think he can be an outstanding player. He’s got to rectify a few things first,” Sumich said.
“I think the whole football industry understands and sees what the kid can offer – his toughness, he’s got skill to go with it – and I think it would be a huge loss to the AFL system if this kid didn’t continue on.
“That’s why I’m a big advocate and kids get it wrong and let’s be honest, we all make mistakes throughout our careers on and off the field – I did and you sometimes need a second, sometimes third, sometimes fourth chance.
“He’s not killing anyone. He’s not taking drugs. I think we can work with him.”
Stack’s case was adjourned to January 6. He comes out of contract in 2021.