It’s 25 years today since one of the greatest Tigers of them all – Matthew Richardson – made his AFL debut.
‘Richo’, aged 18 years and 51 days at the time, lined up for Richmond against St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday, May 8, 1993, in Round 7 of that season.
It was a baptism of fire for Richo, as his opponent that day was the most experienced player on the field – long-serving St Kilda captain and tough, top-notch full-back Danny Frawley.
The gangly teenager was like a two-year-old colt that day, as he ran himself, and Frawley, ragged.
He finished the match exhausted, but pleased with his own performance – 20 disposals (nine kicks, 11 handballs), nine marks, two tackles and one goal (1.2) – and the team’s convincing 32-point win.
Match detailsRichmond 4.1 9.9 16.16 19.22 (136)
St Kilda 5.1 9.4 13.5 16.8 (104)
Goals – Richmond: B. Gale 4, Hogg 4, Naish 3, Campbell 2, N. Bower, Knights, Leys, Maxfield, Menegola, Richardson.
Leading possession-winners – Richmond: Knights 32, Campbell 30, D. Kellaway 27, Naish 23, Bower 21, Maxfield 21, B. Gale 20, Richardson 20.
Goals – St Kilda: Lockett 9, Burke 2, Rice 2, Everitt, Loewe, O’Brien.
Leading possession-winners – St Kilda: O’Brien 29, G. McAdam 28, Bourke 25, Loewe 24, Morris 22.
Crowd: 29,296
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-05-08/richos-yellow-and-black-silver-anniversary