Tigers icon Matthew Richardson reacts to club’s $65m threat to leave Punt Road OvalGlenn Valencich
7news
5 May 2022Richmond’s plan to redevelop Punt Road Oval has been hailed as the “right call” by club great Matthew Richardson as the historic Jack Dyer Stand moves closer to demolition.
The City of Melbourne this week made the unanimous decision to approve a $65 million overhaul, which still needs Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne’s green light to go ahead.
The council’s support came after the AFL club dramatically threatened to relocate from the only home its known since 1885 if the application was shot down.
“It just would’ve felt unacceptable for me if Richmond weren’t at Punt Road. It just doesn’t work,” Richardson told 7NEWS.com.au.
“But they do so many other things out of that facility, with the Indigenous programs and the Bachar Houli Foundation.
“And the girls now, the facilities they have to train under are just not good enough. (The redevelopment) just needs to happen.”
Punt Road Oval serves as the Tigers’ AFL training base and hosts practice matches, AFLW games and VFL fixtures.
The current Jack Dyer Stand, built in 1915, goes largely unused by spectators after it was deemed unsafe to host larger crowds.
The brick structure will make way for a combined building and grandstand featuring modern seating, men’s and women’s training and changeroom facilities, and new internal spaces for education programs run out of the club.
Richardson, who was drafted by the Tigers in 1992 and retired as a player in 2009, argues the Jack Dyer Stand has “always been out of date”.
“They’ve always done everything they can to update that grandstand but it’s 100 years old, right?” he said.
“You’re always papering over the cracks. I think the right call’s been made.”
The Australian Football Hall of Famer said he understood heritage groups’ concerns around losing a slice of history in Richmond.
“But I think the greatest asset the Richmond footy club has is that location there where they train,” Richardson said.
“It’s a bit of a recruiting tool. Players come to Melbourne, you get to train right near the MCG and it’s central, you can live anywhere.
“It becomes a destination for Richmond if you’re attracting players. And at the end of the day you need to move on and have progress with your facilities.
“With the AFLW and a VFL team training there, you just need better facilities - particularly for the girls programs.”
https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-icon-matthew-richardson-reacts-to-clubs-unacceptable-65m-threat-to-leave-punt-road-c-6679095
