Richo flies to honour on wing
richmondfc.com.au
By Matt Burgan
1:00 PM Tue 16 September, 2008
RICHMOND superstar Matthew Richardson has spoken with pride about receiving his third All-Australian honour and his first in almost a decade.
Richardson, who arguably had his finest AFL season in 2008, couldn't hide his delight at being acknowledged as one of the players of the season having been named as an interchange player during Monday night's announcement of the All-Australian team.
"It's been a long time between drinks, as they say, but I'm rapt," Richardson told richmondfc.com.au.
"It's not something I was expecting at the start of the year. I thought my days of vying for these sorts of things were over.
"The club played some good footy this year and my teammates have really helped me be able to play some better footy."
Richardson's ability to gain three All-Australians over 13 seasons 1996, 1999 and now 2008 is a testament to his remarkable durability in the game. It was something he reflected on before Monday night's announcement.
"I thought about it today. I thought: 'Gee, it is a long time since I first got selection'," he said.
"It's something I'll look back on and be proud of at the end of my career, but I've still got a bit of footy left in me."
The Richmond Team of the Century member also said to be selected as a midfielder he shone on the wing and in front of goal this year was something he never would've believed.
"You would've got pretty good odds at the start of the year, but it's been a good move for myself and for Richmond," Richardson said.
"I'm not sure what role I'll play next year, it might be similar and I've enjoyed it.
"It's freed me up a bit and it was a good move in the end."
Richardson, who has played 276 matches (seventh on Richmond's all-time games record list), said receiving individual awards was flattering, but team success was what drove him.
"Personal, individual things aren't what you play the game for," he said.
"Obviously, I haven't been able to play in many finals and that's a disappointing thing, but this is a good recognition of your season.
"You do have goals and aspirations, and most guys at the start of the year would be pretty happy if they could get All-Australian selection".
Still, the fact Richardson has made the All-Australian side on three occasions, despite the Tigers having limited success throughout his career, only highlights his ability to mix it with the competition's elite.
"You look around at the players that were selected and they're all just absolute champions," he said.
"So to get your name up in a team with those guys, it's something that you'll look back on and be pretty proud of."
As for his plans ahead of a 17th season at the elite level, Richardson said relaxation would be the order of the day.
"I'll just put the feet up and have a holiday and get back into it in a few months and see how we go next year," he said.
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