Patrick Retschko’s family has bled yellow and black for as long as the 20-year-old can remember.

So much so, his dad, Paul Retschko, has been connected to Richmond since he was a little boy, woven into the Club's fabric in a way he doesn't take for granted.

"I grew up around the corner from Kevin Bartlett. Richmond was always just this close. I went to school with the Kellaway boys and Mark Chaffey, who were all drafted to Richmond. We were going to games with a purpose and connection," Paul said.

Their lives have revolved around the heartbeat that is the Swinburne Centre, with Paul owning and operating Retschko Orthotics on Bridge Road, for more than 20 years.

It's the reason his son, Patrick, Richmond’s newest No.33, feels instantly like he’s landed back at home at Richmond.

It’s almost surreal that the Retschko family would find themselves at the place they have loved for life, with Patrick picked up by Richmond, following a year with Geelong, during the 2025 AFL Trade Period.

But the love affair began well before Patrick was around, with Paul and wife Kelly, Patrick's mum, well connected to the Club for many years through family and friends.

"Kelly's grandfather grew up and always followed Richmond. Patrick has a great uncle, who is a 3121 member. All the way through his upbringing, he's been privileged enough to get to closed training sessions, we all have. I'm a 25-year Richmond member," Paul said.

"We've always been lucky to have that behind-the-curtain access."

For Paul, his job, which has him operating out of 132 Bridge Road, Richmond, has bee

n his lifelong ambition. And he's built a legacy with every patient, working with children, adults and AFL players through his time working at Hawthorn, Carlton, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.

But his heart really lies with the yellow and black, and as a member for the past 25 years, he's ridden the best and worst of times and wouldn't change a thing.

"I used to get so much joy reading the newspaper when we won. I used to go up to the newsagent and buy every paper so I could read every report about Richmond winning," Paul said.

"Richmond supporters were always so happy when we won. You never expected it. And when you did, everyone was so grateful and happy. Never was a win taken for granted.

"When Richmond beat GWS (2017 Preliminary Final), we saw grown men crying. I remember saying to Kelly, 'I don't know how I'd react if we made a Grand Final, let alone won it'. 

"Then when we started winning, the biggest stress became getting tickets to the Grand Finals, which we were lucky to attend."

Paul's connection to Richmond looks very different these days, with Patrick playing for the Tigers.

"I'm glad he's had a year at Geelong, to have a year in a professional program, then got to come into a football club that we are connected to," Paul said.

"There's lessons to be learnt and they're hard lessons. So, I'm happy he came better prepared into the Richmond space, to a Club that went to a great deal of trouble to get him in.

"You just realise what a special environment it is. It's very different to other clubs.

"The members should be proud and comforted by the fact that the Club has done amazing job in the wider community."

For Patrick, the sentiment remains the same as his dad's.

"It means so much more. Having your childhood club want you and pursue a trade for you is amazing. Having my previous learnings and understanding what goes into being at an AFL club makes it so much more significant than your average draft story," he said.

Richmond has been the centre of the Retschko family's universe. It's all they've ever known.

A photo of a young Patrick, shaking hands with Richmond great Michael Mitchell, who played 81 games between 1987 and 1991, taken by fellow Richmond member Maz Phillips at the 2017 Dreamtime at the 'G clash, is a prized possession that sums up the long legacy between the Retschko family and the Richmond Football Club.

"That's how close Richmond's always been. I said to Patrick, 'Michael was one of my favourite players. He was the reason you'd go to the footy back then'," Paul said.

"So, Pat ran down to the fence and he said, 'you're my dad's favourite player'. To have someone catch that moment, it gives a lot of joy."

"It's my favourite photo," Patrick added.

As for what lies ahead, Paul admits he is hanging out to see his son officially pull on the yellow and black in season 2026.

But there will be a different set of rules come game day, for he, wife Kelly and their other son, Harrison, when the time comes to watch their son and brother on the big stage.

"We did warn him that at that time [playing for Richmond], we would cease being parents and become full-blown cheer squad members," Paul laughed.