Retiring Tiger Matthew Richardson addresses the media at Punt Road on Friday morning
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IT WAS earlier this week that Richmond superstar Matthew Richardson finally acknowledged the messages his body had been giving him for months - it was time to give AFL football away.
Richardson, who had played 282 games and kicked 800 goals for the Tigers, said it was a privilege and honour to represent the club across 17 years.
But he admitted that at 34, and after an operation and months of rehabilitation on his troublesome hamstring tendon, it was impossible to carry on.
"I've been thinking about it for a couple of months, stewing on it in my mind, and I guess it really hit home on Monday," he told a packed crowd of family, teammates, Richmond staff and journalists at Punt Road on Friday morning.
"I had a pretty ordinary medical diagnosis on Monday which sort of confirmed the gut feeling that I already had, that my body was not going to be able to stand up to another year of AFL football.
"I guess I couldn't look people around the club, and the supporters, in the eye by saying I was ready to go when deep down I knew that I wasn't.
"I haven't got any doubts that I've made the right decision. I really did want to pull on the jumper again, but it's just not to be.
"There's no point trying to push it when the body is telling me otherwise."
Richardson said despite promising post-surgery medical reports in May, the latest assessment was simply telling him what he already knew.
"I had a scan on it, and it had actually gone backwards from my last scan in mid-September," he said.
"It really hasn't progressed much since I played for Coburg in round 18, and the prognosis was that it wasn't going to get better unless I probably had more surgery.
"Turning 35, I just didn't think that was a realistic option, so really there was no other choice to be made."
In reflecting on his career, Richardson said his most cherished moment was the semi-final victory over Carlton in 2001.
That season was the Tigers' first foray into the finals since 1995 - a campaign Richardson had missed with a serious knee injury.
"At the MCG, a traditional rival, and to beat them in a final at the 'G was a great feeling," he said.
"We had to travel to Brisbane the next week, and we all know what they were going on to achieve, three premierships in a row, so it just wasn't to be.
"If we didn't have to go up there, you never know, we might have been able to get into a grand final that year.
"I would have loved to have played a few more finals for this great club, but it wasn't to be. The timing wasn't right. But I certainly wouldn't have ever wanted to be anywhere else but at Punt Road."
Richardson leaves the club confident it is on the right track.
The timing of his decision means he won't have the opportunity to play under new coach Damien Hardwick, who was appointed in August.
"Damien and the new coaching staff have put together a great plan," Richardson said. "It's a real learning and teaching environment.
"We've got a young group and I think they're really flourishing already, and I can't wait to come and support you guys next year."
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