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To those that wonder how long Richo has left as a player, I have just returned from the year 2020 and you would not believe what I just saw!
Herald Sun
Saturday July 11 2020
In Focus with Mike Sheehan
Mathew Richardson
It has been an amazing career to this stage. After making his debut in 1992 as a skinny kid from Tasmania, Mathew Richardson (Richo for the remainder of this article), has been the face, the heart, and the sole, of the Richmond Football Club.
He lines up this weekend for his 500th game, (not in his familiar role on the Wing but at Full Forward, a position he has not occupied since the 2008 season), as a nine time best and fairest winner, a duel Brownlow Medalist, 3 time Norm Smith medalist and 4 time premiership Captain.
In the early days life was tough at Punt Road for Richo and his teammates.
Year after year of below par performances seemed to have robbed Richo of the chance to leave the game with on field success at the conclusion of 2007 season (the year that retirement was first mentioned for Richo).
It proved to be premature talk as history now shows, Richo not only decided to continue, but was Reinvented, with a move to the wing, during the 2008 season.
Since this time the Tigers have managed a period of sustained success rarely matched in the history of this great game.
It all began in 2009 with the return of Richo to the Tigers lineup after a layoff of several weeks, brought about by the incredible news that Richo had a 6 year old son from a 1 night stand.
After his return he played out an incredible season that included 6 BOG efforts, winning the final 6 games to help the Tigers sneak into the top 4 for the first time since 2001.
They went on to play in the Grand Final that year with Richo winning a Norm Smith medal from a wing with 8 goals and 27 marks from his 36 disposal game.
Despite Richo’s heroics on that day, Geelong held on to win the game by 8 points.
In the off season Richo had the privilege of the captaincy bestowed upon him.
Season 2010 began as season 2009 ended for both Richo and the Richmond football club.
By the halfway mark of the season, Richmond sat on top of the ladder with 10 wins.
As history shows they went on to win the flag in 2010, and Richo managed the incredible feat of being a Premiership Captain, Brownlow Medalist, Norm Smith Medalist and B&F winner all in the one year.
Premierships followed in 2012, 2015, and 2017 with Grand final appearances in 2011, 2016, and 2019.
Richo won a second Brownlow in 2017, and Norm Smith’s in both 2012 and 2019.
This brings us to today’s game, and Richo’s move back to the Full Forward post.
Some may say why move Richo when he has been so successful on the Wing.
But there is a big reason for this move, for today is the first time in the history of the VFL/AFL that a father and son have lined up in the same team.
Richo’s son makes his debut today named on a wing.
He is 198cm tall, weighs 95kg runs like a gazelle jumps like a Kangaroo and Kicks like a mule.
Experts are saying that he could well turn out to be better than his legendary Father.
So to the rest of the competition we say good luck as Richo senior looks forward to the next 100 games alongside Mathew Richardson Junior.
Herald Sun
Saturday July 11 2020
In Focus with Mike Sheehan
Mathew Richardson
It has been an amazing career to this stage. After making his debut in 1992 as a skinny kid from Tasmania, Mathew Richardson (Richo for the remainder of this article), has been the face, the heart, and the sole, of the Richmond Football Club.
He lines up this weekend for his 500th game, (not in his familiar role on the Wing but at Full Forward, a position he has not occupied since the 2008 season), as a nine time best and fairest winner, a duel Brownlow Medalist, 3 time Norm Smith medalist and 4 time premiership Captain.
In the early days life was tough at Punt Road for Richo and his teammates.
Year after year of below par performances seemed to have robbed Richo of the chance to leave the game with on field success at the conclusion of 2007 season (the year that retirement was first mentioned for Richo).
It proved to be premature talk as history now shows, Richo not only decided to continue, but was Reinvented, with a move to the wing, during the 2008 season.
Since this time the Tigers have managed a period of sustained success rarely matched in the history of this great game.
It all began in 2009 with the return of Richo to the Tigers lineup after a layoff of several weeks, brought about by the incredible news that Richo had a 6 year old son from a 1 night stand.
After his return he played out an incredible season that included 6 BOG efforts, winning the final 6 games to help the Tigers sneak into the top 4 for the first time since 2001.
They went on to play in the Grand Final that year with Richo winning a Norm Smith medal from a wing with 8 goals and 27 marks from his 36 disposal game.
Despite Richo’s heroics on that day, Geelong held on to win the game by 8 points.
In the off season Richo had the privilege of the captaincy bestowed upon him.
Season 2010 began as season 2009 ended for both Richo and the Richmond football club.
By the halfway mark of the season, Richmond sat on top of the ladder with 10 wins.
As history shows they went on to win the flag in 2010, and Richo managed the incredible feat of being a Premiership Captain, Brownlow Medalist, Norm Smith Medalist and B&F winner all in the one year.
Premierships followed in 2012, 2015, and 2017 with Grand final appearances in 2011, 2016, and 2019.
Richo won a second Brownlow in 2017, and Norm Smith’s in both 2012 and 2019.
This brings us to today’s game, and Richo’s move back to the Full Forward post.
Some may say why move Richo when he has been so successful on the Wing.
But there is a big reason for this move, for today is the first time in the history of the VFL/AFL that a father and son have lined up in the same team.
Richo’s son makes his debut today named on a wing.
He is 198cm tall, weighs 95kg runs like a gazelle jumps like a Kangaroo and Kicks like a mule.
Experts are saying that he could well turn out to be better than his legendary Father.
So to the rest of the competition we say good luck as Richo senior looks forward to the next 100 games alongside Mathew Richardson Junior.
