3 replies to this topic

[Amelia Jane]

I know he is an opposition player but I was truly saddened to hear of Matthew Richardson's retirement. He has always been my favourite opposition player and is such an incredibly likeable and respected person. He may not of been the best kick in the league but his overall ability and endeavour was wonderful. He was an incredibly mark and could run like an elite midfielder. I for one will miss Richo and hope he has a great career in the media. I also loved the way he always proved what a good person he was on the footy show. He was often the only one to show any form of moral compass on the show and I remember the way he put Sam Newman in his place when Sam was again mocking people by saying to him "you are a disgrace and I have one word for you - Karma "
Good luck for the future Richo.

[Caveman]

He was a one clubman- Matthew Richardson. Gave great service to the Richmond/Eastern Tigers and indeed some of his best games were against us- in particular when he kicked 10 against Western in 2004 on the cricket ground.

One other aspect about his departure that I find particularly sad is what he represented. Matthew Richardson was one of the last players to have played at the Whitten Oval and against Footscray, unlike Michael Gardiner who although playing at the Whitten Oval did so playing for the West Coast against Western in 1997 in that last ever game there.

Sadly like World War 1 veterans they are disappearing and soon it will be the same situation as Australian World War 1 veterans in that there are none remaining.

Brad Johnson is our only survivor, Ben Cousins is an opposition survivor he played against Footscray in 1996 at home. One who didn't play at Footscray though was Joel Bowden, he played his first game in 1996, but it was after the Richmond v Footscray game at the MCG of that year. Matthew Lloyd never played at the Whitten Oval against Footscray, he may have done against Fitzroy though on the opening day of 1995- I will have to look that up.

Like Brad Johnson, Matthew Richardson was also one of the last survivors to have played against Fitzroy- he probably played against them in Fitzroy's last game in Melbourne at the MCG in August 1996? He would have in 1994 or 1995 I reckon- will have to look that up.

Lets hope he has a happy and prosperous retirement.

[DMcG]

Due to my irrational hatred of all things from Mordor, I mean Tigerland, I cannot share in this sadness. However in time I am certain I will see past my own predjudices and admit he was a great icon of the game.

Whilst we're here though! Let's all just laugh at Nathan Brown, walked out of the Dogs in 2003 to go to our enemy, saying he 'wanted to play finals football'.
How did that work out for ya Browny? You money grubbing so & so.

[Caveman]

He (NB) can now permanently strut his stuff on the catwalk, without the football related distractions.