Matthew 'Richo' Richardson, no 12
By Chris Greenway

Part of the Premiership winning sides of 1967 and 1969 was a player called Alan Richardson, better known as 'Bull'. 'Bull' was a barrel chested utility who specialised in breaking packs open. Nearly 30 years after 'Bull' and the Tigers parted company a tall, rangy kid with a huge leap and incredible aerobic capacity arrived at Punt Rd. Matthew Richardson, affectionately called 'son of Bull' by Rex Hunt.

It didn't take Richo long to make his mark at Richmond. He debuted in 1993 and was touted as the next big thing by 1994. 1995 was Richo's year, at least until Rd 9 against the Swans in Sydney. Richmond were flying high with 7 wins out of 8 games and Richo had been a big part of all 7 wins. He flew for a mark, spilled it and tried to pull out his dive so that he wouldn't crash into the fence, unfortunately he did a knee and that was it for the season. I often wonder if that had not happened could Richmond have done the impossible and won the Grand Final.

Richo returned in 1996 and under the coaching of Robert Walls kicked over 90 goals for the year and looked to be fulfilling his potential, although the rest of the side did not play as well. 1997 and 1998 were riddled with injury, he did his best for Gieschen in 1999, but the Giesch didn't seem to really know how to use the mercurial forward. 2000 was another annus horribilus for the big bloke. He damaged his foot in a 1 point loss toe Fremantle at Telstra Dome and spent another year on the sidelines.

For years people had been saying Richo would kick double figures, but he never seemed to be quite able to do it, until one glorious day at the MCG against the Dogs, when he booted 10. The majority of the crowd rose to their feet and bowed, all the time chanting Richo Richo Richo, it was a marvelous moment. His 200th game against Port Adelaide in 2005 was similar. The Tigers looked headed for a thrashing and then hit back hard, with seconds on the clock before halftime and the Tigers trailing by less than a goal Richo rose above the pack for a majestic mark and then goaled to put his side ahead for the first time during the game. He makes the impossible possible and despite his failings and interesting body language players and fans love him and he's one of those rare players that will bring people through the gate just to see him perform.

Tribute to Richo from the In-Box
From: Henry (13 years of age)
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 2:18 AM
Subject: Re: GOOOOO Tigers
I'VE READ YOUR WEBSITE I'VE ONLY NOTICED 1 LITTLE TEENEY WEENEY THING - YOU HAVEN'T GOT A PLAYER REVIEW OF RICHO AND I'VE GOT YOU SOME FACTS ON HIM:

RICHO'S NUMBER IS 12 LIKE ME, WELL I COPIED HIM.

2nd best and fairest 1996, 1999, 2002;
All-Australian 1996, 1999;
International Rules Series 1999;
leading goalkicker 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004;
AFL Rising Star nominee 1993;
Alex Jesaulenko Medal 1996.
Brownlow Medal: 2004 votes 10; career votes 89.

HE KICKED 10 GOALS AGAINST BULLDOGS ROUND 10 SEASON 2004 - HIS BEST EVER
HE HAS PLAYED OVER 200 GAMES AND HAS KICKED A HUGE AMOUNT OF GOALS

Thanks, Henry! I love supporting young players!

From: Tina Van Orsouw
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 2:12 AM
Subject: OOOOO
HEY CAN I TALK TO RICH MY HIRO