Matthew Richardson

Matthew Richardson, born on March 19, 1975, in Devonport, Tasmania, is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Standing at 197 cm and weighing 103 kg, Richardson was the fourth pick in the 1992 AFL draft, recruited as a father-son selection from Devonport. He debuted at 18 years old in 1993 and quickly established himself as a key forward. His career, spanning from 1993 to 2009, saw him play 282 games for Richmond, where he kicked 800 goals, placing him second in Richmond’s history and twelfth on the all-time AFL/VFL goalkickers list at the time of his retirement. He also holds the record for most goals kicked at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with 464.

Richardson was known for his marking ability, speed, and strong work rate. Despite several injuries, including a torn ACL in 1995 that led to significant changes in ground safety at the SCG, he consistently performed at a high level. He earned All-Australian selections in 1996, 1999, and 2008. A significant career turning point came in 2007 when he won his first Jack Dyer Medal (club best-and-fairest), and in 2008, when he played a modified role on the wing, finishing third in the Brownlow Medal with 22 votes and leading the AFL in marks per game with 11.1. His 800th and final career goal was kicked in Round 6, 2009, shortly before a hamstring injury forced his retirement.

After retiring from playing, Richardson transitioned into a successful media career. He joined the Seven Network’s AFL telecast team as an expert commentator and boundary rider. He also became a panellist on “AFL Game Day” and contributes to Richmond’s media department, hosting the ‘Walking Tigers’ podcast. His post-playing career milestones include being inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Richmond Hall of Fame in 2015. He continues to maintain a visible presence in the Australian rules football community through his media roles.