Like a romantic revolutionary fighting a doomed cause, Matthew Richardson carried the tattered Tigers’ battleflag into 282 games over 17 seasons.

 

Today’s kids are watched more closely off the field than in Richo’s first days Today’s kids are watched more closely off the field than in Richo’s first days
Images: Getty Images

 

As much folk hero as football star, he was Richmond’s leading goal-kicker for 13 years, booting 800 goals in total – No.11 on the all-time list. No one has kicked more goals than “Richo” at the MCG – a stage just epic enough for his Herculean proportions and labours. Richo’s undying commitment to the Tigers’ cause cost him a chance to play in grand finals and earned him the admiration of Tigers and opposition supporters alike. If you didn’t appreciate Richo, you didn’t love footy. “Never been a more loved player in modern football,” said fellow retiree and Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd during Richo’s lap of honour at the Richmond-Carlton season opener. Inside Sport kicked back with Richo on his oversized sofa and reflected on his celebrated career.

Such a low-key ending to a celebrated career ... Do you regret not acknowledging the fans and being feted on the MCG one last time?

Yeah, it would’ve been nice to finish in front of the fans, but it’s not always a fairytale ending. I played long enough to know that you’re always one injury away from the end of your career. And that’s what happened with me in the end.

Are you still getting used to being an ex-player, being in civvies, so to speak?

Yeah. I hadn’t really felt shattered about the whole thing. But then at the AFL launch I was watching the footage of the players, the captains came out and you really knew the season was starting. That was the first time I felt like, “Shit, I really would like to be out there still.” But if I went for a run now I’d soon be pulled back to Earth and realise that it’s probably finished. Or it is finished.

Do you feel you wrung the most out of yourself?

I was always pretty critical of myself, but I achieved 95 percent of what I wanted to. Obviously I didn’t play a lot of finals (three), which is the ultimate goal, the premiership. But I think most of the time I got the best out of myself – there’s a few things I probably would’ve changed.

Dealing with frustration better, the body language on the field – is that one thing you would do differently?

Yeah, it’s a topic that always comes up. Look, I played my best footy when I was passionate and emotional. If I didn’t have that, I don’t know whether I would’ve played as well. I was on the edge a lot of the time with it and it crossed over one or two times – they’ve been well-documented. It went too far and it looked bad. But I definitely wouldn’t change playing with passion and energy. Towards the end I got to channel it a lot better. I probably wish I had’ve realised that

a bit earlier.

Did football ever reduce you to tears?

No, it didn’t reduce me to tears. I think if you lost a grand final like the Saints last year, that would reduce you to tears. You have some pretty low moments and you’re feeling, “Why do I do it?” But then there’s always the next game, the next week. You have a win and it’s all positive.

You’ve been a footy gladiator all your adult life – what will get the adrenalin thumping now?

That remains to be seen. I don’t think you’ll ever replace being on the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 70,000 people. But I’m looking forward to what I’m doing now, working with Channel Seven on a couple of new shows and also the footy coverage. You want to be good at whatever you do, so a new challenge is in front of me now.

It’s the end of an era at Richmond – no Richo, Joel Bowden, Nathan Brown, Mark Coughlan or former captain Kane Johnson. A tough season ahead?

I think it’s an exciting time. It’s a new era – there are 16 players who haven’t made their debut. It’s a young team – new coach, new direction, new CEO. So I think it all fits that all us older players ended up going at the same time. Now the club can just focus on moving ahead and not worry about the past.

You’re definitely a glass half-full type, aren’t you?

With Richmond I am, definitely. I wouldn’t say I’m like that in every area of my life! But with footy, you always have to remain optimistic, because it’s a hard game and people are always looking to knock you down. If you’re not positive and looking forward, it’s going to be tough.

You saw dozens of team-mates come and go in 17 seasons – was there one departure you felt the most?

Probably Brendon “Benny” Gale when he retired. He was a real inspiration for me because he was from the same area (northern Tasmania) as me growing up. He played in similar positions – a big, marking player, always a good leader around the club. He was never captain but he was always a leader (Gale is still leading at Richmond, as the new CEO). When he left I was really disappointed because I always thought he was going to be around – and then he’s gone.