There's a new contender in the race to be the next player to kick 1000 goals.

Richmond has added Tiger great Matthew Richardson onto its COVID top-up list for the 2022 season.

Club top-up lists were introduced this year for circumstances where AFL clubs are impacted by COVID health and safety protocols, with each Club nominating a group of up to 20 top-up players.

Richardson, who retired in 2009 after kicking 800 career goals, said he had been motivated by Lance 'Buddy' Franklin's 1000-goal feat last weekend.

"If the opportunity arises, it would nice to kick a few more goals," Richardson said.

"I was actually up in Sydney when Buddy kicked his 1000th goal and it did go through my mind that it would be nice to kick a few again."

Richardson said he was "very excited" at the prospect of running out in the Yellow and Black again, acknowledging that anything was possible after clubs have had to turn to Covid top-up lists in recent weeks. 

With the number 12 guernsey now vacant due to David Astbury's retirement last year, he said the timing was perfect.

"I guess it's a slim chance that it will happen, but look what happened to the West Coast Eagles," Richardson said.

"If we were to get down to the bare minimum of numbers, I'd be very excited to be able to help the Club out."

Richardson, now 47, said he was "ready to go" after keeping fit throughout Melbourne's lockdowns. 

"I've been training a lot over the last few years over Covid, it was the only way to get outside," he said.

"I feel pretty fit. I got the call five or six weeks ago in preparation for this Covid list, and now that it's happening, I have a program that I've been sticking to rigidly. "

- Published April 1, 2022