In the wake of Richmond great Matthew Richardson’s induction last night into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, we take a concise look back at each of his 17 seasons at the game’s highest level . . .
1993
Makes an impressive senior league debut at full-forward for Richmond in the Round 7 clash with St Kilda at the MCG, collecting 20 disposals, taking nine marks and booting one goal on veteran Saints’ full-back and his future coach Danny Frawley.
1994
Kicks eight goals in a sizzling opening round performance against Footscray at the Western Oval and goes on to win the Tigers’ Leading Goalkicker award for the first time, finishing the season with 56 goals.
1995
His flying start to the season (27 goals in nine games) comes to an abrupt end at the SCG in Round 9 when he crashes into the fence and ruptures the ACL in his knee, requiring a total reconstruction, which puts him out of action for the rest of ’95.
1996
Bounces back bigger and better than ever after his knee problems, booting 91 goals for the season, with bags of three or more 18 times, earning All-Australian selection for the first time, and finishing runner-up in Richmond’s Best and Fairest award.
1997
Starts the season in fine style, scoring six goals in successive weeks, against Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs (Rounds 2-3), before a broken arm forces him to the sidelines for three matches (Rounds 7-9). Isn’t quite as potent when he returns, but still manages to top the Tigers’ goalkicking for a third time.
1998
Injures his elbow in a pre-season series match and misses some early rounds of the season. Then, late in the year, he is out of action for a couple more weeks with a fractured cheekbone. In between, however, he finds consistency, scoring three goals or more 11 times, to finish with 55 for the season.
1999
Produces his best season to date, topping the competition’s marking charts for the home-and-away rounds (172 marks), earning All-Australian selection for the second time, finishing runner-up in the Club’s Best and Fairest for the second time, and polling 16 Brownlow Medal votes (15 of them coming in Rounds 7-16).
2000
Is on fire in the early rounds of the season, with 13 goals in three games, until he ruptures the ligament at the top of his left foot in the Round 3 clash with Fremantle at the new Docklands Stadium. Has screws inserted in the foot and misses the rest of the season.
2001
Plays a pivotal role in Richmond reaching the finals for just the second time since 1982. Is the leading mark-taker in the competition, with 182, at an average of eight per game, highlighted by an outstanding 17-mark performance against the Kangaroos in Round 21, and finishes with 59 goals for the season.
2002
A mixed bag for Richo . . . several stunning displays, tempered with frustrating hamstring problems and an on-field disciplinary issue in the Round 14 match against Carlton, which results in him being dropped to the VFL. Returns to vintage form in the last six rounds, taking 57 marks, kicking 22 goals and receiving nine Brownlow votes.
2003
Takes the most contested marks in the competition (64), producing a couple of particularly prominent aerial displays – 16 marks v Melbourne in Round 8 and 17 marks v Western Bulldogs, Round 17. Captains the side in Wayne Campbell’s lengthy absence and spends much of the last month of the season in midfield/defensive roles.
2004
Has a top season individually, despite the team finishing with the wooden spoon. Produces a career-high, 10-goal performance against the Western Bulldogs in Round 8, the week after a match-winning seven-goal effort (out of a team total of 10 goals) against Sydney at the SCG.
2005
Enjoys one of his most consistent seasons, booting 65 goals, with hauls of three goals or more on 13 occasions. Again leads the competition in contested marks and is fifth in total marks. Celebrates his 200th game in style, with a 17-mark, best-on-ground display against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome.
2006
At age 31, Richo continues to shine, producing one of the best individual games of the season – 19 marks, 24 possessions and nine goals in the Round 21 encounter with Essendon at the MCG. Wins the Club’s Leading Goalkicker award for the 11th time.
2007
After finishing runner-up in the Club’s Best and Fairest four times, Richo finally breaks through to claim his first Jack Dyer Medal, following a fine season of consistent football. Manages to play every game for the season, despite suffering a fractured eye socket, broken nose and lacerated forehead in the Round 8 clash with Adelaide.
2008
Carves out his best season of AFL football after being moved to a wing early on. Averages 18 possessions per game, takes the most marks in the competition during the home-and-away rounds (222), tops the Club’s goalkicking yet again (48 goals) and caps it all off by finishing equal third in the Brownlow Medal, with 22 votes.
2009
Suffers a season-ending and, ultimately, career-ending, hamstring tendon injury in the Round 6 loss to Sydney. Despite playing so little football in ’09, Richo still manages to poll more Brownlow Medal votes than any other Tiger player for the season (six), being awarded best-on-ground honors in Round 2 against Geelong and Round 4 against Melbourne.
