Richardson rates Collins’ form a high
Bendigo Advertiser | 8/06/2009
IN A footy season that’s been bleak for the yellow and black faithful, Richmond champion Matthew Richardson rates the play of Bendigo Pioneers’ draftee Andy Collins as a high in the 11 rounds played in the 2009 campaign.
From Bridgewater, Collins has played eight consecutive senior matches from a wing or half-forward, after a two-year stint in the VFL with the Tigers’ affiliate, Coburg.
Richardson praised Collins’ play during Saturday night’s Bendigo Bank Pioneers Football Club legends dinner at The Bendigo Club.
“Andy’s play has been sensational,” Richardson said.
“He spent a lot of time working on improving his game at Coburg Tigers, and probably spent more time than a lot of other players before his AFL debut.
“Andy has kicked a goal a week so far, and is quickly becoming a goalkicking midfielder, which is what we really need to develop,” Richardson said of plans at Tigerland.
“The play of Andy Collins, Robin Nahas and Daniel Jackson have been highlights for us this year.”
A star in 282 games for the Tigers, Richardson and high-profile AFL player manager Ricky Nixon, who played for Golden Square, were the special guests.
In a frank question-answer session with Nixon, and then the Tigers’ fans, Richardson spoke about the highs and lows of life in the AFL, and future goals.
Sidelined since he tore his hamstring in round six, Richardson declared he aimed to be back for the last four or five matches of this season, and that he wanted to play on in 2010.
Earlier in the day, Richardson’s brother-in-law, Jade Rawlings, had been appointed the Tigers’ caretaker coach.
It will be a memorable occasion should Richo achieve his aim of playing again this season and be coached by Rawlings.
“My recovery from the injury is going really well,” Richardson said.
Another of the Pioneers’ draftees and long-time teammate of Richardson, Nathan Brown is under increasing scrutiny about whether he will be part of Richmond’s plans next season.
“He is desperate to play on next season,” Richardson said of Brown’s goals.
“Against Essendon he was getting back to the form we know he can play at.”
Injuries have hampered Brown, a dual club champion at the Pioneers, in the Tigers’ run this year.
Recruited to Richmond under the father-son rule in 1992, Richardson arrived at Punt Road as a 17-year-old for the ‘93 season.
There have been many changes, not just at Tigerland, but to the AFL and the game.
For Richardson, the highlight was the 2001 finals series, which included a semi-final win against Carlton.
An amazing run in the 1995 season included the Tigers achieving an 8-1 record when `Richo’ was hurt in Sydney.
A knee reconstruction ended his season, but the Tigers went on to contest the finals.
“To have played finals just twice in the past 25 years is not good enough,” Richardson said.
Running ability, athleticism, spectacular marks, and the occasional sprayed shot at goal have been the hallmarks of Richardson’s career.
In a game where there are not as many one-on-one contests, Richardson has had to adapt to a vastly different style of play.
Although it’s been another frustrating year for the Tigers, Richardson is determined that 2009 will not be his last in the big league.
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