Richo starts contract talks
Jon Ralph | May 29, 2008
MATTHEW Richardson started contract talks this week on the first of a series of one-year deals that will end his career at Richmond.
Richardson, a red-hot Brownlow Medal contender, is in career-best form and TAB Sportsbet yesterday listed him as fourth favourite for the league's top individual prize at $7.50.
He finishes a two-year deal this year, and while he will turn 34 before next season, he shows no signs of slowing down.
The Tigers hope Richardson will play on for several seasons, but both the club and the forward's management are comfortable with him signing a one-year deal for 2009.
Richardson once commanded up to $700,000 a season. Although he remains at his peak, he is believed to earn between $400,000-$500,000.
Richardson said this year he had lost none of his pace and spring, and hoped a lighter pre-season might extend his career.
Last season's Tigers best-and-fairest has averaged 19 possessions this season playing mostly on the wing and kicked 27.15 at an excellent accuracy rate of 64 per cent.
Richmond director of football Greg Miller said the club had no hesitation in signing up 33-year-old Richardson mid-year.
"Richo is in career-best form and we are very happy with him. We are only halfway through the year but we believe he has the capacity to go on next year. Richo is a Richmond man through and through, so we have no issue whatsoever," he said.
Richardson's manager Ricky Nixon said yesterday he expected a minimum of fuss with the new contract.
"I spoke to the club this week about it, so the process has started, and I don't think there will be too many glitches," Nixon said.
"It will be the quickest negotiation in the history of the world."
Nixon said Richardson was happy to play on with one-year deals.
"You don't need to secure multi-year deals at his age. It is a decision he will make at the club and with the people around him how long he can go on for," he said.
"Although I defy anyone to show me a bloke his age who has played as well as he is playing this year. I can't think of anyone at 33 playing as well as he is.
"He hasn't lost any speed, he hasn't lost any agility, he hasn't lost any endurance, and his kicking is getting better."
Richardson's goalkicking accuracy is better than at any time in his career, apart from his remarkable 1996 season (91.49 at 65 per cent).
One theory is that not only is he more relaxed, but by the time he takes his first shot at goal he has collected several midfield possessions and has built confidence in his kicking.
Richardson is already on the veterans' list, having entered his 16th season, alongside Joel Bowden.
Only half of veterans' salaries is included in the cap.
Bowden turns 30 next month and will hope to win another contract after his two-year deal expires this year.
Richmond paid only $8.341 million in player payments last year - ranked 10th in the league - and had money to make a play for Chris Judd.
That means it will have plenty of money in the salary cap for Richardson and its young group, as well as for any play it may make during the trade period.
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