Matthew Richardson Tribute thread

[Tigerbob]

It is the Off Season. As I sit here thinking about next year and my expectations for the team, whats going to happen, the new recruits, I keep coming back to one man, who will soon be a myth, a legend an unrivaled name around our great club.

I want to pay tribute to the greatest personality to hit our club.

I have grown up with Matthew Richardson in the yellow and black, I have seen all the ups and all the downs, all the clangers, all the miracles, all hard work and all the uninspiring.

Through it all, this man has become bigger than life, not only with our club, but right across the league.

I have had the pleasure of meeting the Great Man on a few occasions, and a guy of his stature could be arrogant, he could be unwilling to engage in conversation, he could be a damn right *smile*..... Not our Richo!

He is the most genuine guy I have met, and no matter in what situation, he is always willing to smile, and say hello, and engage in conversation. Nothing is too hard or too uncomfortable for him.

The first time I knew he was something special as a person was the 1997 Family Day. After it officially closed, I looked out at Punt Road and watched all the players leaving the ground, some saying goodbye to the fans, some chatting amongst themselves and others ignoring the fans and walking off the pitch. Then I look to the Center Square and see a massive crowd in a circle, at least 100 people, maybe more. One guy is still in there amongst the swarm of die hards. Matty stays out there for at least another 45 minutes until all autographs and photos that are requested are done. I was having a kick with a mate and he walked past and called for the handball, then delivered a pass to my mate. He ruffled my hair and said "Go Tiges"!

I instantly had a man crush and at that age I didn't realise what that was.

So all I want to have is a tribute thread, on any favorite Richo Moments from the Posters, our experiences in meeting the great man.

All hail Matthew Richardson.

 

[Rosy]

That gave me goosebumps bob. I doubt it's possible to love a player more than I love Richo. History will hold him in the same stead as other Richmond immortals. There are none better imo.

My funniest off-field Richo moment was on the way into family day. It was the morning after his 21st and Richo wasn't a fit looking fella. He stopped to sign autographs for my kids and was quickly surrounded by a crowd of adoring fans wanting his sig. It looked like the last thing he wanted to be doing, he hadn't even got in the gate yet, but he obliged in good grace....until he turned around and saw his mum Diane signing my daughter's autograph book herself. The big fella was far from impressed...needless to say she didn't sign any more autographs. :hihi

One memory that cracked me up with the on-field Richo was a game at Princess Park. The result didn't make much difference to us other than the fact it would stop Carlton making the finals. Carlton fans thought they were home and hosed but the Tiges made a great comeback. When the game was in the balance Richo had a mark, or had the ball at least, on the edge of the goal square. Instead of taking a kick he tried to handball it over SOS in the midle of the goal square to Benny who was on the line between the goals. Needless to say it didn't come off. It really made me laugh just the same.

That's it with Richo. He can be absolutely mind-boggling brilliant or he can make the simplest thing look difficult. One thing's for sure though. There's never a dull moment when he's out there in the yellow and black and gee following Richmond over the last decade would have been ordinary without him out there entertaining us.

Love you Richo. Long may you run. :hearton

 

[Freezer]

His last game will put the Sheedy/Hird affair to shame.

God I hope I'm there.

In terms of his immortality as a Tiger, I'd suggest he's up there with, if he hasn't already surpassed, the likes of Bourke, Bartlett, Hafey et al. In fact, it may only be Dyer that remains more glorified.

And deservedly so.

 

[Tigermad2005]

I want to be a richoman

 

[H tiger]

The game a couple of years ago was a classic Richo moment.

Running into an open goal on an angle Richo go's to bounce duffs it, gets tackled, regains possession and somehow kicks the goal around the post.

It was spectacular, a display of athletic genius flawed. It was Richo :clap :clap :clap

 

[BrisTiger24]

Great post bob.

My own piece of Richo-tale was one night in off-season at Melba's nightclub in Surfers Paradise. It was the year that Gieschen replaced Walls. I was leaving the club (slightly anebriated I must say) and as I was walking down the stairs I couldn't believe my eyes when Richo was walking in

Notwithstanding that I was just another pissed punter, he took the time to shake my hand, say hello and have a brief chat about Walls v Gieschen. An absolute champion of the highest order.

he may have his faults skillwise but there is no doubting that he is one of the legends of our club that needs to be remembered in the class of Dyer, Hart, Bourke, Bartlett, Barrott etc. I'm glad to have shared my life with Richo and I hope we can continue to do so for a few more years yet.

 

[Baloo]

His last game will put the Sheedy/Hird affair to shame.

God I hope I'm there.

Me too Freezer, it'd definitely be worth a flight back home for the affair. What's worries me though is that Richo, being the type of fella he is, will go out much like Shane Crawford did. No pre-announcement, no fanfare. The only give away might be the big lug shedding a tear after the match is over.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Bobby this thread has brought a smile to my face.

I myself have had absolutely nothing to do with Madcow but have simply viewed Richo as the greatest roller coaster ride I have ever been on.

He is the ULTIMATE entertainer and I am ecstatic that he played for our club because even though the past few years have been tough the Calf has kept us thoroughly entertained through ups and downs.

His good days will be fewer next season but te memories will remain.

Viva la Richo. 8) :emblem :emblem :emblem :emblem :emblem

 

[ROLLS ROYCE]

Great read guys......never met Richo but he has given a long suffering fan like myself, many of the highs and lows for more than a decade.

Without Richo to entertain and amuse over the lean years, being a Tiger fan would have been dead set boring.

 

[johnson2richo2003]

"Let Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Entertain Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"
Pretty much sums up Richo.
100,000 at the G in Richo,s farewell game.Bookmark it.

 

[Opulentus Tigris]

By far the best post of ever read....Great work Tigerbob. :clap

 

[CarnTheTiges]

Richo has given me so many great football memories. His 200th game where we came back against Port and he took that towering pack mark and then kicked the goal just before halftime. The day he kicked 10 against the Dogs. The mark against Collingwood in 2007. The list goes on. The day he gives it away will be a sad day not just for the RFC, but for the AFL.

 

[Freezer]

Richo has given me so many great football memories. His 200th game where we came back against Port and he took that towering pack mark and then kicked the goal just before halftime. The day he kicked 10 against the Dogs. The mark against Collingwood in 2007. The list goes on. The day he gives it away will be a sad day not just for the RFC, but for the AFL.

Ah CCT - I was home from London and got to see his 200th game as well. I swear I jumped out of my seat even before Lids bombed it into the goalsquare. I felt like I was 10 again!

 

[Gordietiger]

[size=10pt][size=10pt][size=10pt]The romantic in me wants Richo to :
-have an injury free year and
-play his 300th in a final
-at the G
-in front of all of us!!![/size][/size][/size]

 

[Dyer Disciple]

Well done Bobby Brown!

Richo...where do you begin? Absolute champion. I think much of what he has done throughout the years has gone unappreciated by the general masses, but his sheer talent and freakish athletic capacity has demanded attention.

As supporters we have all gone through the heart ache of defeat after defeat onfield, financial woes, infighting and instability in the corridors of power that has always hampered our ability to have a stable and quality football department....and as much as we have felt and lived through those pains, Richo has had to play through them and have the shame of the club heaped on his shoulders ALONG with his own critics and media attention.

Through it all he has always given us 110% on the field, both on the game day and training track. He has always conducted himself like a true champion off the field, the time he takes to spend with supporters both organised and spontaneous, is first class.

Imagine how bleak the last 15 years would have been without him at the club to entertain us? In a side that has been barren of superstars for his career his one player we could have some pride with that, his infamous kicking woes aside, we knew worried opposition coaches and supporters.

I've had the good fortune to meet him a few times as well, such tales are very similar to others posted on here.

I have two favorite memories of Richo, that to me, signify the champion that he is.

1) That day he played in the Dream Team Match with the broken cheekbone, on Mal Michael no less (who whilst might have been past his best, was certainly capable of playing dirty and trying to exploit his injury) was awe inspiring to me. All the way to the ground I couldn't believe he would play in that game, I discussed with my mate (who is a essendon supporter who takes great delight in bagging Richo, while out the corner of his mouth admiring him and fearing him) how i just had visions of Michael and company "testing" Riewoldt's injury that day he cried and had images of a "accidental" punch/spoil to Richo's face. I thought there is no way known they will risk him and Wallace was just playng games with Sheedy.

I'll never forget the sensation I felt when I saw him run out onto the ground and I saw the first close up of his face/eye on the big screen. I was never prouder to be a Richmond supporter and Richo fan that night.

The way he played that night, was unbelivable. I thought even if he did play he would be concientious and have to be careful, he played without a care in a world and just ripped Essendon apart. Even my friend who is one eyed Bombers said he should have won the Boomerang that night, not just for courage but for actual form on the day. I think Hird won it too from memory, so that was a big call from a one eyed bomber supporter.

Personally, I believe that was the night Richo got a lot more respect from the general public. Many players and opposition coaches have always respected him.

2) I will never forget when Carey was at his best and Richo was at his best and Carey said "Richo is the best player in the league at the moment". That to me was a massive call from someone many believe to be one of the best of all time and was a well known ego maniac. I'll never forget that, I was staggered.

We have been so lucky to have him, I have a friend working in stem cell/cloning research shortly, my first question was can I slip them a sample to be cloned. :hihi

 

[benny_furs]

DD when the tributes come pouring in for Richo's last game I fear everyone will focus too much on the "ups and downs" of Richo, but everything you have highlighted is exactly what I will be remembering him for.

During a time where the club has been a rabble on and off the field, Richo has kept a generation of supporters coming back in the masses to watch the yellow and black. I hold him responsible for keeping the club's membership base in healthy stocks during such a lengthy period of failure.

The dreamtime match against Essendon was the greatest footballing moment I have ever experienced... not just the inspiration of Richo being out there, but courageously throwing his body into packs (and taking the marks!) and kicking goals.

During the last 60 seconds when he ran in to kick his 5th goal (and win the match) from 45m out on the boundary... OMG... that was the best feeling EVER. Poeticly so, there was a slight flaw in this piece of play that took it all away. It was still the most inspirational thing I have ever seen.

He's an absolute hero of mega proportions due to three main areas:

- His heart

- His talent

- His character

I would love to see him pay 300+ games and kick 900+ goals by the end of 2010 before the youngsters force him to play another season with the football world cheering him on through to a Grand Final.

Keep in mind, this is Richo's first ever pre-season with the midfielders. This change in routine and playing position, along with the youthful enthusiasm and imminent success around the corner, hopefully will see the legend play until he's 37 or so... could there be anything better?!!!

 

[Rosy]

One thing that typifies what I love about Richo is when he was once asked about the supporters getting stuck into him and he replied that he understood their frustration with some of the things he does. He said he's a Richmond suppoter too and he'd react exactly the same way if he was sitting in the stands watching someone do similar things. I can't think of any other player from any club who's as one with the supporters as Richo is with us. As he's said before, when he retires he'll be in the stands, together with the supporters, watching Richmond play.

 

[Tigeritis]

Richo is a true Richmond legend. I just hope he can play in a grand final before he hangs the boots up. Come on boys lift! Do it for the great Cho

 

[vernissage]

The tears are welling as I read this thread....

 

[Chocco]

Richo - you complete me.

I have been lucky enough to hang out with Richo on a couple of occasions, he is the best bloke you will ever meet, I can honestly say that, he has the same effect on everybody who meets him. On one occasion I was with a couple of Carlton and Collingwood supporters and they were telling me all day that once they meet him they will get stuck into him, well that never happened - they ended up being in love with the guy! He is just one of the guys, loves his sport, music, beer and does not look down on anyone even though he is as big as a mountain. I wanna be a Richo man!!!

On field memories first that come to mind and I was lucky enough to be present at both of them, his 10 goals against the dogs, by the end of the game even bulldog suppporters were cheering for him and of course his 200th at the dome, it was one massive party he kicked started the comeback with that massive mark, the whole stadium was singing R I C H O the whole second half, every time he touched it we erupted.

Richo thanks for the memories, it's only going to get better!!!