Richo's bold goal
Jon Ralph
Sunday Herald Sun
February 04, 2007
MATTHEW Richardson says Richmond's new forward line shapes as the most potent he has seen in his 15 years at the club.
And the Tiger veteran plans to be around to lead it for some time.
Richardson, 32 next month, agrees with coach Terry Wallace's prediction he could play for another four years.
Richardson, who has a contract until the end of 2008, said, short of a serious injury or dramatic form slump, he would look to extend a career that started in 1993.
"I have had a full pre-season since (Wallace's comments), so nothing has really changed," he said.
"Troy Simmonds asked me how many games I had missed through injury and I said probably 50 to 60. That is close to three seasons, so hopefully that means I play three more seasons than I might not have played. I think I can definitely play this year and next year, then reassess after that."
Richardson believes he has thrown the soft-tissue curse that saw him repeatedly miss games with hamstring strains, having played 22 games in 2005 and 18 last year.
"Last year it wasn't through any lack of conditioning that I went down. It was just a break of a bone (in his wrist) and you can't help that. So two years without any real troubles, I think I am on top of that and I think it will continue," he said.
"I had a tight glute (on Monday) and just got a little bit of a nervy flick through my leg. Why risk it at this time of the year?
"That was the first session on Monday that I haven't completed. I have had a full pre-season and hopefully that means a full year."
Richardson also believes he might finally have the support of some goal-kicking teammates.
"You don't want to make outlandish statements, but on paper and on training form it looks dangerous and could potentially be the best forward line I have played in," he said.
"We have Browny (Nathan Brown) back to his best training form and (Kayne) Pettifer will improve. We think Kent (Kingsley) is going to be a great acquisition, then you have (Andrew) Krakouer crumbing with Jay Schulz, who is developing. We see it as a good forward line, if we can work as a team and not just work individually.
"We have been on a gradual climb, but if we don't make finals this year I don't think we would have continued climbing and that would be disappointing."
Richmond, which leaves today for its three-day community camp at Phillip Island, plays Geelong in the NAB Cup on February 25.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21165124-23211,00.html
