Matthew Richarson is a good bloke, great player
Mike Sheahan | Herald Sun November 13, 2009 HOW do we classify the flawed genius called Richo? With immense difficulty, that's how. He won Richmond's best-and-fairest just once in 17 seasons (2007), he played only three finals, kicking five goals in 282 games.
There are dozens of Richmond players with superior records, several in his time. Yet, Richardson defies classification on stats alone.
The pertinent observation about Matthew Richardson is that he was the reason people were prepared to watch Richmond during much of the 1990s and certainly the first decade of the 21st century.
In truth, he was the solitary attraction at Richmond in so many years - the Tigers finished bottom four in eight seasons in his time.
He is a unique individual. No player has been symbolic of his club since Robert Flower retired from Melbourne.
None more loved, either.
Who can forget his gallant if unsuccessful charge towards the Brownlow Medal in 2008?
Richo pulled the pin yesterday because he had lost faith in his body. Specifically, a hamstring.
He could have continued to train, to negotiate a new contract for 2010 for at least $350,000, but he wasn't convinced he would get through another year.
That's a gutsy call. A selfless effort. That's Richo.
Richmond happily would have committed to him. He's worth $350,000 in marketing alone.
I spoke to new Richmond coach Damien Hardwick on Tuesday and he didn't know what Richardson was going to do.
In retrospect, he was guarded, but Hardwick isn't the stuff of headlines on any topic. Here's what he said at the time: "It's still Matthew's call. He's such an impressive bloke around the club, he's well loved and he's an important player.
"So, from that point of view, we're prepared to give him as much time as he needs to make the decision."
And as for whether it was his decision entirely Hardwick said.
"Yeah, he's been a great servant of this footy club and he deserves the respect to actually go out on his own terms; he's that important to this football club.
"I think Matthew is very honest with himself. He'll know when the time's right to go out."
So, the Richo-man is gone, the retirement to be formalised at a media conference this morning. Sadly, he didn't get to tell his teammates and the club staff first, but that's the modern game.
In his determination to usher Richo into the next phase of his life, his long-time manager, adviser and admirer, Ricky Nixon, simply alerted too many people yesterday. He's always liked being first with the latest, Ricky.
Oddly, Richmond's senior officials were hosting a gathering of football writers at Punt Rd when the news broke.
In deference to Richo, no official would be quoted. Glum faces, raised eyebrows, told the story.
They were saddened, even miffed, Richo had been denied a gracious exit, an opportunity to inform his teammates first, a media conference where he made the running.
The big fella was closing in on his 35th birthday. Not much time left in top-level sport, but, given his willingness to work, his extraordinary endurance and his form before ripping a hamstring off the bone, the expectation was he would play another year, and play it in customary style.
So, where does he fit in Richmond's honour roll?
He finishes sixth for games played, second only to Jack Titus for goals kicked. Imagine his numbers if he had been able to kick straight from inside 40 metres.
He was an outstanding athlete for a man of his size (195cm, 104kg) and ranked with Jonathan Brown and Nick Riewoldt of the current players as the best contested mark of the post-Carey era.
The histrionics were something else, but we were captivated by his body language.
It's impossible to believe all of us didn't love Richo in different ways.
He was a Richmond icon, he wore his heart on sleeve, he willingly acknowledged his flaws, he forgave his critics, he was all-round good bloke ... and a great footballer.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/matthew-richarson-is-a-good-bloke-great-player/story-e6frf9jf-1225797106942
