Can Richo reach 4 figures?

[tigerjoe12]

Richo's 9 goals on the weekend took his career tally to 688 goals. It also showed that he can still play.

He often plays at half-forward. Terry Wallace has said he prefers Richo there but can see him moulding into an Alistair Lynch type player and moving closer to goal as he ages. Richo is now 31 and has played 233 games. Keeping in mind that he often doesn't play at full-forward he currently averages 2.95 goals a game.

If Richo played another five seasons at this average it would mean he could kick another 324 goals, taking his tally to 1012 goals. Thats ensuring he played every game which wouldn't likely happen. If he was to play at FF though his average would likely increase.

I think Richo has an outside chance of playing another five seasons, until he is 36. The question is...can he kick 1000 goals?

 

[mb64]

Big ask,wpould need 4 seasons without too many injuries.Would be good if he could get there.

 

[akhoury]

I highly doubt Richo can reach 4 figures. I hope that when Richo retires he will have the respect that he deserves. He is extremly quick and fit (fastest at richmond over 400m) and is an awsome mark of the football. He isnt that bad a kick a goal and hasnt had many if any dummy spits in the last 3 years. He is a player that wears his heart on his sleeve and is a Tiger champion. Lets hope thats what he is remembered for and not for the negatives.

 

[Tygrys]

No he can't. Again people keep on talking about him doing an Alistair Lynch. But how many talls actually have done an 'Alistair Lynch'? And that's not even taking into account Richardson less than reassuring record of injuries. History shows us to get to 400 you'd have to be like a Kevin Bartlett, Michael Tuck or Craig Bradley: rangy, durable, with not too much weight to carry and very lucky with injuries. Richardson is none of these things. He will be gone sooner rather than later (he certainly won't be there when Richmond finally makes an assault on the flag - whenever that happens). We should be actively planning now for a forward line without him, to do anything else will court disaster.

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

I'd love for him to make it....but it's unlikely.
He is more likely to play 300 games.....what a game that will be!

 

[CarnTheTiges]

No he can't. Again people keep on talking about him doing an Alistair Lynch. But how many talls actually have done an 'Alistair Lynch'? And that's not even taking into account Richardson less than reassuring record of injuries. History shows us to get to 400 you'd have to be like a Kevin Bartlett, Michael Tuck or Craig Bradley: rangy, durable, with not too much weight to carry and very lucky with injuries. Richardson is none of these things. He will be gone sooner rather than later (he certainly won't be there when Richmond finally makes an assault on the flag - whenever that happens). We should be actively planning now for a forward line without him, to do anything else will court disaster.

I think the question was can Richo kick 1,000 career goals, not play 400 games. I think both are probably a little out of reach, but I'd love to see him play 300 and maybe just maybe break Titus goal kicking record at the club.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Richo has said that he'll keep playing so long as he has his pace. Very few of the players above him on the all-time goalkicking list struggled to the line at the end of their careers, so barring serious injury there should be a few goals in him yet. I doubt that 1000 is feasible though (unless our list develops overnight and send constant long bombs to the goal square!).

 

[meltiger]

No he can't. Again people keep on talking about him doing an Alistair Lynch. But how many talls actually have done an 'Alistair Lynch'? And that's not even taking into account Richardson less than reassuring record of injuries.

Richo is in FAR better shape than what Lynch was ...

Besides a broken wrist, what injuries have genuinely held the bloke back this year?


If Matty ends up playing 3-4 years in the goal square, and keeps his head when kicking ... There is no reason he can't kick 1000.


Remember, he may have been around for 15 seasons (?) but he has also spent what, a total of 3-4 on the sidelines with usually, serious (as opposed to niggling) injuries. & yet, despite being heckled from all corners about his kicking . The big fella has still managed to snag 680+ majors.


If he played on for 5 more seasons, especially with the team slowly rising - Of course he could get there.


& it would be my favourite Richmond moment ever (Having been about 20 days old when we last won a premiership ), it would be like Richo giving the ultimate finger salute to the entire footballing community.

 

[Ian4]

4 years may be enough. he'll play his remaining days in the goalsquare and a dozen or so finals will get him over the line ;D

 

[Tigerfan]

that question is entirely in the hands of our midfield.

i reckon yes.

and i reckon young Howat will chalk up a lot of assists

 

[tigerjoe12]

good response for this one

i think he can easily reach 900 but 1,000 might be just stretching it. he should be able to reach 300 games at least. that being said he is still in phenomenal condition, his temperament is undoubtably improving and the move to the goalsquare would mean he could afford to bulk up a little. if he can be isolated, he's just about unstoppable one on one.

i think if richo ever reached 1,000 goals it would have to be the 2nd best possible moment for a tigers fan. the first of course a premiership

on second thought maybe we should plonk richo on the boundary line 55 metres out from goal rather than the goal square...he's a much better chance of converting from there

 

[tha8ball]

Better contested mark than Lynch was which is also a positive thing for the big fella...also why do people think Richo is not capable of doing a lynch? Lets see....who was more athletic and quicker at the same age = Richo...who is a better contested mark = Richo.....Lynch is a better set shot and received sublime service off the brissy midfield....but in 2-3yrs our midfield will be outstanding aswell....Richo may hav had injuries but Lynch had a few and also had chronic fatigue - the worst thing around for an athlete.....i for one think the big man could do it and be even better than Lynch - big call i know. That day when he goes up to receive his premiership medallion - if it ever occurs - will be the greatest moment at the MCG ever.

 

[nwonash]

Its all going to come down to Richo being injury free.  He is someone jinxed when it comes to injury.

I seriously doubt Richo would be able to reach 1000 goals but good luck to him.  Playing in a below average team for so long and being able to average 2.95 goals a game is a fair effort.  Now the team is lifting, you'd image so would his goal kicking average.

 

[Tygrys]

Better contested mark than Lynch was which is also a positive thing for the big fella...also why do people think Richo is not capable of doing a lynch? Lets see....who was more athletic and quicker at the same age = Richo...who is a better contested mark = Richo.....Lynch is a better set shot and received sublime service off the brissy midfield....but in 2-3yrs our midfield will be outstanding aswell....Richo may hav had injuries but Lynch had a few and also had chronic fatigue - the worst thing around for an athlete.....i for one think the big man could do it and be even better than Lynch - big call i know. That day when he goes up to receive his premiership medallion - if it ever occurs - will be the greatest moment at the MCG ever.

Again if it were as easy to do a 'Lynch' as some of the posters on this forum seem to think it is, there would have been a lot more power forwards that would have done it. And in Lynchs defense not only was he a much better set shot than Richardson, he was simply a better all round round player. Firstly as a champion defender and then as a key forward, indeed he showed during his career a phenomenal ability to adapt. That is what he traded upon as he reached his mid-30s when he lost his pace etc. The question is when Richardson looses most of his pace would he be able to do the same thing? True they both have ample reserves of strength, but the smarts and the all round skill, I personally don't think so. Nor has Richardson ever been able to intimidate the way that Lynch has, which again made him invaluable to the Brisbane side even when he slowed down.

Also the Lynch comparison fails precisely because of the effect that chronic fatigue syndrome upon his career. Whilst incredibly debilitating (I have know a severe sufferer personally), in a perverse way it probably prolonged his career. Resting between matches, not travelling, and also during games as well (at the very least it would have helped in minimizing injury and maximising recovery). Now Brisbane could afford to do that because of their star studded list featuring not least of all Brown and Bradshaw up forward. Richmond has neither the depth overall across the park or the gun forwards. Apart from Simmonds drifting toward the 50 metre arc, it's pretty much Richardson or no-one up front in the power forward stakes. Because we have so neglected attempting to get any top line quality KKPs (only my opinion I know) this will place a tremendous physical burden on Richardson as he ages and slows down (both of which will probably happen in football terms far more quickly than many of his fans on this site are prepared to contemplate).

Again Brisbane because of their team structure and depth could manage Lynch to the ripe old age of 35, with Richmond I doubt that we have the list that can do that (unless we are prepared to sacrifice games to prolong his career). Again you can hope that he'll play as long as Lynch but you shouldn't expect it, nor should he be part of any planning for any long term tilt at the flag. If he is still there it will be a bonus and nothing else....

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Ages and goals in final season of players ahead of Richo on the goals list:

Lockett 33 (March), 82 goals (ignoring the abortive comeback at 36)
Coventry 36 (retired on birthday in GF), 72 goals
Dunstall 34 (August), 54 goals
Wade 33 (October), 47 goals
Titus 35 (March), 23 goals
Matthews 33 (March), 56 goals
McKenna 31 (August), 36 goals
Quinlan 35 (July), 52 goals
Bartlett 36 (March), 37 goals (not bad for a half-forward playing half a game off the bench!)
Lloyd 28 (April), 13 goals*
Rocca 32 (November), 17 goals*
Kernahan 33 (almost 34, September), 23 goals
Mohr 31 (June), 25 goals (ignoring a solitary game the following year)
Hudson 31 (February), 110 goals
Carey 33 (May), 27 goals
Vallence 33 (June), 81 goals
Lee 33 (May), 38 goals
Richardson 31 (March), 43 goals*

All bar Kernahan, Bartlett and Titus averaged over 2 per game in their final season, and 10 of the 18 averaged above 3. Point is, Lynch is not the only player to remain effective in front of goal in his twilight years. Each of these players were exceptional in their own way and Richo is as unique as any. He is probably the most athletically-gifted player of all time at his age, so comparisons with Lynch are immaterial IMO.

It is The Great Unknown that will count against him in getting near the thousand - injury, illness, form, utilisation by coach, relationship with coach, contracts, game evolution, defensive tactics, rule changes, team strength, emergence of new forwards and probably a dozen other things.

 

[Tigerfan]

magnificent stats work there LeeRainesRoach :clap

 

[Tigers of Old]

Its all going to come down to Richo being injury free.

That's the bottom line.
In light of his recent performances it's easy to forget that again this season he has missed a large chunk of the year to injury.

The big question for me is how much longer his body can take the punishment at the top level after so many injuries over the years.

Personally I'd have preferred to see the club sign him to a one year deal at this stage. I can'tsee how there would have been any harm in that.

However if the injury gods smile on him then the big guy's got plenty left to offer the Tiges.

 

[tigersnake]

Better contested mark than Lynch was which is also a positive thing for the big fella...also why do people think Richo is not capable of doing a lynch? Lets see....who was more athletic and quicker at the same age = Richo...who is a better contested mark = Richo.....Lynch is a better set shot and received sublime service off the brissy midfield....but in 2-3yrs our midfield will be outstanding aswell....Richo may hav had injuries but Lynch had a few and also had chronic fatigue - the worst thing around for an athlete.....i for one think the big man could do it and be even better than Lynch - big call i know. That day when he goes up to receive his premiership medallion - if it ever occurs - will be the greatest moment at the MCG ever.

Again if it were as easy to do a 'Lynch' as some of the posters on this forum seem to think it is, there would have been a lot more power forwards that would have done it. And in Lynchs defense not only was he a much better set shot than Richardson, he was simply a better all round round player. Firstly as a champion defender and then as a key forward, indeed he showed during his career a phenomenal ability to adapt. That is what he traded upon as he reached his mid-30s when he lost his pace etc. The question is when Richardson looses most of his pace would he be able to do the same thing? True they both have ample reserves of strength, but the smarts and the all round skill, I personally don't think so. Nor has Richardson ever been able to intimidate the way that Lynch has, which again made him invaluable to the Brisbane side even when he slowed down.

Also the Lynch comparison fails precisely because of the effect that chronic fatigue syndrome upon his career. Whilst incredibly debilitating (I have know a severe sufferer personally), in a perverse way it probably prolonged his career. Resting between matches, not travelling, and also during games as well (at the very least it would have helped in minimizing injury and maximising recovery). Now Brisbane could afford to do that because of their star studded list featuring not least of all Brown and Bradshaw up forward. Richmond has neither the depth overall across the park or the gun forwards. Apart from Simmonds drifting toward the 50 metre arc, it's pretty much Richardson or no-one up front in the power forward stakes. Because we have so neglected attempting to get any top line quality KKPs (only my opinion I know) this will place a tremendous physical burden on Richardson as he ages and slows down (both of which will probably happen in football terms far more quickly than many of his fans on this site are prepared to contemplate).

Again Brisbane because of their team structure and depth could manage Lynch to the ripe old age of 35, with Richmond I doubt that we have the list that can do that (unless we are prepared to sacrifice games to prolong his career). Again you can hope that he'll play as long as Lynch but you shouldn't expect it, nor should he be part of any planning for any long term tilt at the flag. If he is still there it will be a bonus and nothing else....

your view is based on some flawed assumptions.