I couldn't find this on the net so I scanned it in...
Mates rate at top of Richo list
By Chris de Kretser, Daryl Timms
MON 07 JUN 2010, Page 072
THE Richmond faithful turned out in force for one last farewell to Matthew Richardson on Saturday night and the popular Tiger endeared himself to them even more by outlining his reason for playing football.
"It's the mates you make -- that's what footy's all about. The friendships that you have forever,'' Richardson told a crowd of 1800 with yellow and black in their veins.
The Tigers great was greeted by a standing ovation and the "Richo'' chant as he took the stage at the Melbourne Convention Centre's Plenary room.
Humbled by the reception, Richo said he missed playing as the club attempted to rebuild.
"You always get a bit better after you've retired,'' he joked.
Richardson was at pains to point out that the night was not a testimonial for himself but for Richmond.
"I'm not getting a cent and I hope the club makes plenty of money,'' he said.
Surrounded by his family, best friends, club legends and all the players on the current list, he paid tribute for the support they had given in him in his 282-game career.
He said his father, Alan "Bull'' Richardson was a life member of the club and played in a premiership, but never told him what to do.
"His only advice was to have my socks pulled up, my jumper tucked in and have a pair of clean footy boots,'' he said.
"I always followed that advice, although with the jumpers these days it was sometimes hard to keep them tucked in.''
He choked up when he praised his mum Diane for "how amazing you have been for our family''.
And he hailed his sister Samantha Rawlings -- "even though you didn't take my advice not to marry a footballer'' and his younger brother Andrew, who he said went to every game he played.
He thanked football artist Jamie Cooper for the painting that fetched $51,000 at the auction.
"I've never seen the guns looking better than that,'' he said of Cooper's depiction of his biceps.
The club presented Richo with a giant collage of him in action with the names of the 150 footballers who had played with him.
10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT RICHO
- Peter Knights was his first senior coach at Devonport.
- He was a premature baby, weighing just 2.7kg (5lb 13oz).
- Loved his Lego as a kid.
- As a schoolboy he wanted to be an accountant.
- First drove through Melbourne at 17 on a Tasmanian driver's licence.
- Favorite drink is Malibu and pineapple.
- Has kicked the most goals at the MCG.
- Would like his nickname ? Hates being mistaken for Fraser Gehrig.
- Had a Delta Goodrem CD in his locker.
