Richo given until December to decide his future [updated]

[Stripes]

I think it would be best for all concerned if Richo retires. While he may produce his best form in a handful of games, history tells us that at his age and with his past, he will suffer further injuries next year.

Richo would also be taking the place of a new recruit who could be a good player into our future rather than an excellent one for only one year. He could hold back the development of our forward line because instinctual he would demand the ball from our midfielders robbing the other forwards of delivery. On the wing he would take the place of a midfielder and delay the development of building a core unit of young talent.

Lastly is, and will always be remembered as, a star player with incredible natural talent and athleticism plus he is an all round nice guy...but Richo doesn't know how to play as part of a team. He knows how to inspire it and gain respect from it but not do the team orientated acts, the 1%, that will help his team shine rather than himself shine. He hasn't got a defensive side to his game - he very rarely ever tackles - and struggles with the concept of shepherding, blocking, dummy leading or pulling out of a contest when a team mates is in a better position.

Richo is not coach, teacher, developer or leader. He loves the club with all his heart and will try and fight for victory off his own boot/actions until he collapses but he just doesn't understand how to make the players around him better and sadly for Richo that's what we now need most.

Stripes

[bushranger]

I think that he has had his time in the sun and now he should leave it to the young ones.
He isn't recovering as quick now and this is making our list one short a lot of the time.
So I think it is time to hang up the boots, and call it a day.
We could pick up a good recruit with the money being paid to him.
So Thanks for your time at Tigerland mate.

[Francois Jackson]

I think it would be best for all concerned if Richo retires. While he may produce his best form in a handful of games, history tells us that at his age and with his past, he will suffer further injuries next year.

Richo would also be taking the place of a new recruit who could be a good player into our future rather than an excellent one for only one year. He could hold back the development of our forward line because instinctual he would demand the ball from our midfielders robbing the other forwards of delivery. On the wing he would take the place of a midfielder and delay the development of building a core unit of young talent.

Lastly is, and will always be remembered as, a star player with incredible natural talent and athleticism plus he is an all round nice guy...but Richo doesn't know how to play as part of a team. He knows how to inspire it and gain respect from it but not do the team orientated acts, the 1%, that will help his team shine rather than himself shine. He hasn't got a defensive side to his game - he very rarely ever tackles - and struggles with the concept of shepherding, blocking, dummy leading or pulling out of a contest when a team mates is in a better position.
Richo is not coach, teacher, developer or leader. He loves the club with all his heart and will try and fight for victory off his own boot/actions until he collapses but he just doesn't understand how to make the players around him better and sadly for Richo that's what we now need most.

Stripes

that is exactly right, you have been reading my posts again

whilst Richo is not part of the problem he doesnt help it with his lack of defensive pressure shown throughout games.

I have seen Richo hold his hands up demanding the ball instead of tackle opponents.

We dont need that in our team anymore, we have put up with it for 30 stuffin years.

if you cant tackle or kick a ball effectively then your out.

sorry Richo but its a big no from me pal.

[Tigermonk]

The club letting Richo decide is the wrong way to go about it,  cause we know Richo is selfish
Sydney game he said he was right to play & brokedown early & cost us the game
IMO it was a selfish act & opting out of that game with injury would have given someone else a chance, even if it was Shulzs or Hughes

[bojangles17]

The club letting Richo decide is the wrong way to go about it,  cause we know Richo is selfish

yeah, bloody selfish of one of the greatest players of the modern era to remain at richmond for his entire career with minimal prospect of realising premiereship ambitions ...Have a think about it partner before throwing loose insults about, it disgusts me

[Tigermonk]

have a cry  his a selfish player & spits the dummy when he cant get his own way.
Everyone knew he wouldnot come up for the Sydney game & he insisted on playing.
Cost us the game as far as l'm concerned & is not fair on his team-mates to carry him when his 40%
Been a problem at Richmond for many years injured players putting themselves 1st instead of doing whats best for the team.
is why we are so pathetic & if you cant see that then your deluded & except poor performances 

[big tone]

Richo should definately go on! End of story!
Sounds to me like half you nuffys have been reading to much crap in the papers.
"Richo doesn't sheppard", "Richo is not a teacher," "the club is bigger than the individual," bla bla, bla!
The facts are we still need him, we are pathetic and Richo is a star and still in our top 3 players.
If he can get that hammy right he could not only play next year but another couple maybe. Remember Cuz has got his hammy right and ended up playing pretty good footy. Just goes to show you that not everyone over 30 should be put down.
As somebody else said, if Richo is in the side he gets the best backmen, giving our other forwards a better chance of getting a kick. That helps everyone! I'm sure if you ask Jack he would prefer to play on a Darren Milburn than a Matthew Scarlett!
Not everyone in our side is going to get 10 tackles a game or get 30 kicks but thats why we have different players in the side that do different things, (taggers, in-side mids, out-side mids forwqards, backs, etc) what Richo brings no one else can at the moment and thats why our club should encourage him to go on.
Now if you prefer to watch Shultz or Hughes run around the next few years than God help you, we are going to struggle for a few more years yet and if that is the case i would at least like to watch a superstar footballer and bloke in Richo.
Whatever happens i have enjoyed watching Richo more than any other player at Tigerland!
Richo you are a STAR!

[Tigermonk]

Richo should definately go on! End of story!
Sounds to me like half you nuffys have been reading to much crap in the papers.
"Richo doesn't sheppard", "Richo is not a teacher," "the club is bigger than the individual," bla bla, bla!
The facts are we still need him, we are pathetic and Richo is a star and still in our top 3 players.
If he can get that hammy right he could not only play next year but another couple maybe. Remember Cuz has got his hammy right and ended up playing pretty good footy. Just goes to show you that not everyone over 30 should be put down.
As somebody else said, if Richo is in the side he gets the best backmen, giving our other forwards a better chance of getting a kick. That helps everyone! I'm sure if you ask Jack he would prefer to play on a Darren Milburn than a Matthew Scarlett!
Not everyone in our side is going to get 10 tackles a game or get 30 kicks but thats why we have different players in the side that do different things, (taggers, in-side mids, out-side mids forwqards, backs, etc) what Richo brings no one else can at the moment and thats why our club should encourage him to go on.
Now if you prefer to watch Shultz or Hughes run around the next few years than God help you, we are going to struggle for a few more years yet and if that is the case i would at least like to watch a superstar footballer and bloke in Richo.
Whatever happens i have enjoyed watching Richo more than any other player at Tigerland!
Richo you are a STAR!

haha how much VALUE did Richo give Richmond this year  ZERO
Next year older & wonky he will give ZERO 
Dont you understand a player of his size with serious injuries cannot go on

[big tone]

Richo should definately go on! End of story!
Sounds to me like half you nuffys have been reading to much crap in the papers.
"Richo doesn't sheppard", "Richo is not a teacher," "the club is bigger than the individual," bla bla, bla!
The facts are we still need him, we are pathetic and Richo is a star and still in our top 3 players.
If he can get that hammy right he could not only play next year but another couple maybe. Remember Cuz has got his hammy right and ended up playing pretty good footy. Just goes to show you that not everyone over 30 should be put down.
As somebody else said, if Richo is in the side he gets the best backmen, giving our other forwards a better chance of getting a kick. That helps everyone! I'm sure if you ask Jack he would prefer to play on a Darren Milburn than a Matthew Scarlett!
Not everyone in our side is going to get 10 tackles a game or get 30 kicks but thats why we have different players in the side that do different things, (taggers, in-side mids, out-side mids forwqards, backs, etc) what Richo brings no one else can at the moment and thats why our club should encourage him to go on.
Now if you prefer to watch Shultz or Hughes run around the next few years than God help you, we are going to struggle for a few more years yet and if that is the case i would at least like to watch a superstar footballer and bloke in Richo.
Whatever happens i have enjoyed watching Richo more than any other player at Tigerland!
Richo you are a STAR!

haha how much VALUE did Richo give Richmond this year  ZERO
Next year older & wonky he will give ZERO 
Dont you understand a player of his size with serious injuries cannot go on

Thanks DR Tigermonk, but may leave the injury rehab to the experts.
Richo wasn't much value this year but he was injured, before his injury he was good. Just like he was pretty good the year before.
Richo like any other player old or young, if you get injured you are not much value. Going on your rationale, how much value was Cotch this year? Zero
Let me ask you one thing, IF Richo had had a year like last year would you be still wanting him to go?
Lets just give the big fella the chance of making it back, i'm pretty sure he deseves at least that.

[DallasCrane]

I think it's true that Richo doesn't shephard and he is by no means a teacher or a role model for young players.
But the fact is, he is the best contested mark in the comp and by god are we going to need that next season.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Richo should definately go on! End of story!
Sounds to me like half you nuffys have been reading to much crap in the papers.
"Richo doesn't sheppard", "Richo is not a teacher," "the club is bigger than the individual," bla bla, bla!
The facts are we still need him, we are pathetic and Richo is a star and still in our top 3 players.
If he can get that hammy right he could not only play next year but another couple maybe. Remember Cuz has got his hammy right and ended up playing pretty good footy. Just goes to show you that not everyone over 30 should be put down.
As somebody else said, if Richo is in the side he gets the best backmen, giving our other forwards a better chance of getting a kick. That helps everyone! I'm sure if you ask Jack he would prefer to play on a Darren Milburn than a Matthew Scarlett!
Not everyone in our side is going to get 10 tackles a game or get 30 kicks but thats why we have different players in the side that do different things, (taggers, in-side mids, out-side mids forwqards, backs, etc) what Richo brings no one else can at the moment and thats why our club should encourage him to go on.
Now if you prefer to watch Shultz or Hughes run around the next few years than God help you, we are going to struggle for a few more years yet and if that is the case i would at least like to watch a superstar footballer and bloke in Richo.
Whatever happens i have enjoyed watching Richo more than any other player at Tigerland!
Richo you are a STAR!

haha how much VALUE did Richo give Richmond this year  ZERO
Next year older & wonky he will give ZERO 
Dont you understand a player of his size with serious injuries cannot go on

While arguments for and against Richo are compelling and correct I still think he needs to retire now for the good of the club. At 34 he is too old and recovery time will inhibit him further if he gets injured again. If he played the last half dozen or so games and had a great or even a good finish to the season I would possibly be thinking differently. However ifs buts maybes and what ifs are the past at the RFC with regards to list management must move on and attempt to sure up the long term future. Sorry champ I love you but you have to go. If you stay I'll support you but unfortunantely the writing is on the wall.

Of course Richo gave us more value than J Bowden could have if he played all 22 games this year.  Oh wait a minute Joel Bowden should still be on the list should be captain, coach, chairman of selectors and everything else the club could bestow upon him.

[Moi]

haha how much VALUE did Richo give Richmond this year  ZERO

Gave more than that hack Bowden did
 

[2JD]

UNFKBLVBLE! You people are! Richo....runner up in the brownlow last year, was doing just fine till injury, can teach the young guys about working your guts out for the club, would not be a huge issue to keep on, the only bright spark in friggin YEARS of disappointment....VALUE??? you talk value?, Richos value is in much more than his on field performance(which in itself is enough IMO)
You armchair experts poo me with your bignoting and thinking you know better than the experts, i dont care who you are related to and how good your sons/daughters/whatevers are, bottom line is you dont know any more than this middle aged suburban mother of four, and that has been proved time and time again!
Richo and the club will know what to do and when to do it, doesnt need you bogans to "demand" his retirement now!  


Rant over

[big tone]

UNFKBLVBLE! You people are! Richo....runner up in the brownlow last year, was doing just fine till injury, can teach the young guys about working your guts out for the club, would not be a huge issue to keep on, the only bright spark in friggin YEARS of disappointment....VALUE??? you talk value?, Richos value is in much more than his on field performance(which in itself is enough IMO)
You armchair experts poo me with your bignoting and thinking you know better than the experts, i dont care who you are related to and how good your sons/daughters/whatevers are, bottom line is you dont know any more than this middle aged suburban mother of four, and that has been proved time and time again!
Richo and the club will know what to do and when to do it, doesnt need you bogans to "demand" his retirement now!  


Rant over

Well said middle aged suburban mother of four 

[mightytiges]

Richo has said before he wants to go on hasn't he? If his upper hammy recovers fine then I don't see why he can't have one final year in 2010. He's a veteran listed player so he isn't taking up a senior list spot and only half his salary counts towards the cap. In what will be a difficult year for the club with or without him anyway if Richo can get through it relatively injury free and play 18 games then at least his 300th may give the club something to cheer about at the end of next season.