The Tigers caretaker coach said last week he thought the league's oldest player should play into next year despite missing most of this season with a hamstring problem.
Rawlings is married to Richardson's sister Samantha, but said he wouldn't let his personal relationship with the veteran affect his judgement should he be selected for the fulltime job.
"The club is bigger than the individual," he said.
"Yes, it's awkward and yes, people talk about the Christmas dinner or lunch and how that would be, and it would be difficult if you were attached to the decision.
"We've been unsuccessful for way too long to be caught up in emotional family attachments.
"Matthew is an outstanding person, which you'd all agree with, and we're great mates and we'll talk honestly about what's going to be best for both parties.
"The footy club's future is most paramount."
Richardson aborted his VFL return on Saturday after just half a quarter, with hamstring soreness. Rawlings said any decision on the player's future would be made by a team.
"For the short-term, we can have a good discussion about what's happened, both about what's happened over the past 12 weeks, and what happened [on Saturday], and what's the likelihood, or the benefits of playing for the next month," Rawlings said.
"I'd imagine he's getting a scan tomorrow and we'll put everything together and come up with the best decision for Matthew, and for the footy club."
Rawlings would not disclose if his opinion on Richardson's future had changed since Saturday's setback.
"I'm pretty sure I have [formed an opinion], and I'd like to keep that to myself," he said.
"I don't think it's for me to make too many judgements for him next year, but I'm pretty convinced in my mind where he sits.
"I think it's more in his court.
"I haven't had a good enough discussion with where he's at, but all the dealings I've had with him up until now have been positive about playing next year."
He said he had not spoken to Richardson about his future since Saturday's game at Coburg's ABD Stadium.
"We spoke more yesterday about the actual incident, how he felt, how he'd been going for the 12 minutes he was out there, not more long-term.
"I can't give you any more than that."
