Richo - Senior citizen of the AFL

[Tigers of Old]

Richo will be the oldest AFL player next year, turning 34 just prior to the start of the season.

With Harvs & now Crawf retiring Richo now officially becomes the oldest player in the competition.

At his age to come 2nd in the Brownlow, after his move this year to the wing this season, is a testament to what a freak he is.
It's really quite astounding how well he played this year. He was quite simply great.

However it begs the question how much longer can we possibly expect these types of performances to continue?

He has had a marvelous run with injury over the past few years but whilst we all hope for the luck to continue, the odds are that Father Time will catch him sooner rather than later, particularly with the athletic emphasis on his current game.

Matty's knees and hammies looked like they copped quite a punishment at times last season & it's not going to get not easier from here on in.

Whatever happens though, only elite footballers are still playing after 30 and only the best handful will be among the oldest in the comp.
Bravo ol' man. Long may you defy the odds and those dashes down the MCG wing continue.

 

[davidrodan]

Scary to think bout life without Richo

 

[Tigermad2005]

With Harvs & now Crawf retiring Richo now officially becomes the oldest player in the competition.

When did Crawf pull the pin? My understanding was that he was going around again.

 

[TigerMasochist]

When did Crawf pull the pin? My understanding was that he was going around again.

Yesterday. It was on the news and all over todays Hun.

 

[mb64]

Yesterday. It was on the news and all over todays Hun.

Is it ever,poster & all

 

[TOT70]

Richo has two seasons left in him.

I expect that he will trim down a couple of kegs in the off-season and spend 2009 excelling in his newly-minted "where da fakissi now" role.

I also expect to see an explosion of giant wingmen in the AFL next season. Nick Reivoldt, Goodes, Josh Hill even Josh Fraser are all capable of running both ways for long periods. Richo will still be the one with the biggest engine though.

 

[Kahuna]

The best way to see Richo off in two seasons is a GF win like the Hawks did for Crawf and coming 30 years after our last premiership has a nice ring to it.

 

[AstuteTiger]

Long live the Champ! wouldnt that go down well before the big fella retires....

 

[Jason King]

Once an athlete always an athlete. He has had way more than his fair share of injuries so i hope he gets another relatively easy year on the body.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

Who would have ever thought that we could say: Richo, elder statesman of the AFL?

 

[benny_furs]

It's usually the athletes who play longer, they can lose some athletisism/pace and still have enough to be good players.

Kane Johnson types are the ones you worry about as they get older.

This also means Deledio could play 350-380 games and one day follow in Richo's footsteps as the oldest player in the competition!

Okay I am deflecting the topic... let's not turn this into a thread where we wonder how much longer the great man has left, it's a far too emotional subject for a Sunday arvo...

 

[poppa x]

Roll on 2009 when I can cheer the Champ and the Chimp ripping into the Chumps.

 

[snaps truly]

Can't believe he's the oldest player in the league... has to someone older ! Doesn't seem long ago that a tall, young skinny kid from Devonport with a daggy ponytail was playing his debut season. I'm the same age as ''The Cho'' and being a Taswegian and barracking for the Tiges i've followed his career closely and I think ( hope ) he has a couple of years left in the tank and hopefully have more success than he has had in the past. I think The Cho would be super hungry to have a shot at a flag, and why not, he may be thinking its only a year or two away and doesn't want to miss out.

 

[MrRuss]

Don't care he is still the CALF!

What a champion, and i think he will have 2 maybe 3 years left. Who knows, but he could play that Lynch role in the square.

 

[creek 1174]

could any player be as loved as richo? when this man hangs up the boots,we will give him the loudest send off and thanks. The mcg will shake as the tiger army (that is men,women and children from all over australia) desend on melbourne, with one purpose to say THANK YOU for all you have done for our club. still thats at least 2 years away.

 

[feisty tige]

Who knows, but he could play that Lynch role in the square.

That was Frawley's answer a few years ago wasn't it? Plan A B and C.

 

[Brodders17]

its a pity his last game will be played in front of only 15-20k tigers supporters.
the rest of the g will be full of corporate hangerson, prize winners etc who get tix to the GF.

 

[Chiang Mai Tiger]

If they fiddle around with the interchange again, Richo may have more seasons in him than we think.