The oldest and one of the most popular personalities in the AFL, Matthew Richardson (more commonly known as ‘Richo’), has announced his retirement from the Richmond Football Club and AFL after a remarkable 17 seasons.
Earlier this week, Richo received medical news that if he were to continue playing football into his 18th season, he will cause more damage to his body and need an extensive rehabilitation period to overcome injury. Matthew also wanted to assess himself after his first few weeks of pre-season training, before making a final decision on his playing future.
After assessing his body and more specifically his injury ridden hamstring, Richo said his hamstring was not feeling good and that it “hasn’t felt right when I’ve been running”. He added Richardson explained that with his hamstrings feeling uncomfortable and the results from his medical scans not being positive, he decided it was the right time to retire. So, on Wednesday afternoon Richo informed club officials that he could no longer play the game.
He stated that “It’s never easy walking away from something that you’ve loved doing for so long, but I consider myself fortunate to have played at such a great club as Richmond in front of such wonderfully, loyal, passionate supporters. There are so many memories from my time at Tigerland that I will cherish”.
Matthew Richardson was recruited from the 1992 AFL National Draft under father son selection (fourth pick) and made his debut in 1993. Throughout his career he has suffered numerous injuries, mainly affecting his knee and hamstring, but he always managed to recover and return.
In Round 5, 1995 he suffered a serious knee injury in the most unlikely way, by colliding with a fence. Due to this he missed the rest of season after having reconstructive surgery.
In 1996 he played all 22 games for the Tigers in his year back after knee surgery and kicked his a career high 91 goals. His knee issues continued and in the Tigers 2001 pre-season, Richo suffered another knee injury, however it wasn’t as serious as first thought and he played 22 games for the season.
In 2009, Richo played in the Tigers first win, however came off the ground early complaining of glute soreness. He returned to the match, however came off once more. In Round 6 of the same season, he kicked his 800th career goal but then partially tore his hamstring off the bone. He then missed the remainder of the season, which was ultimately his last due to ongoing injury and soreness.
Matthew Richardson’s will end his 17 AFL Career averaging 14 disposals per match, 8 marks and 2.8 goals. He also has a long and outstanding list of achievements over this career, they are:
- Richmond’s Leading Goal kicker award 13 times (1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).
- Second on the Tigers’ all-time goal kicking list (800 goals).
- Winner of the Club’s Best and Fairest award in 2007.
- 2nd in Club’s Best and Fairest 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2005.
- 3rd in Club’s Best and Fairest 2008.
- Three-time All-Australian representative (1996, 1999 and 2008).
- Alex Jesaulenko Medal winner in 1996.
- Most goals kicked by a player at the MCG (464).
- Member of Richmond’s Team of the Century (named on a half-forward flank).
- Member of Tasmania’s Team of the Century.
- Most total Brownlow Medal votes by a Tasmanian (140).
- Dream Team Representative (2008)
- Finished third in the Brownlow in 2008 with 22 votes.
- Richardson sits 11th on the league’s list of all-time goal kickers.
- Kick career high 10 goals against the Western Bulldogs in 2004.
- Richmond Football Club Life Member.
- AFL Life Member
Matthew Richardson will officially retire at a press conference to be held at Punt Road on Friday at 10.30am, after an outstanding 282 game and over 800 goal career spanning 17 seasons.
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