Richo injury opens doors for forwards
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen 6:02 PM Thu 07 May, 2009
MATTHEW Richardson says his long-term injury could be a boon for some younger players at Richmond.
Richardson will miss the next 10 to 12 weeks after surgery to repair his hamstring tendon.
But the 34-year-old told richmondfc.com.au that his absence would give an opportunity for other players to step up and grab a spot in the forward line.
"Footy's always been a team game, obviously, but teams don't rely on one person any more," he told richmondfc.com.au.
"Back in the day you had the full-forward that kicked eight or 10 goals every week and he was the main focal point and the ball always went through him, but in modern footy you need multiple options at goal.
"In our forward line at the moment we would be looking to guys like Mitch Morton, Jack Riewoldt, Jay Schulz has been playing well at Coburg in the last few weeks, so you maybe look at Jay coming in and playing forward.
"But you just need heaps of guys kicking goals.
"We've still got Cleve Hughes down at Coburg, and it's a really good opportunity for these young guys.
"If they want to be key-position players, it's a pretty good opportunity for them to put their hand up and show what they can do."
Richardson said he also expected to make his way back to competitive footy via Coburg.
"Look, I think anyone who's out for a period of two or three months normally would require a run in the twos on your way back.
"Obviously we haven't talked about that yet, but I've been told it's a 10 to 12 week injury, so you would think with that long out you would probably need a run in the twos.
"Mate, if that's the case, that's the case. Whatever it takes to get back."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/76417/default.aspx
