Barnzy said:
Well said.
In my opinion Richardson needs to be honest with himself, the new coach and where he sees the club at.
That is he is significantly older than most of the list, is now injury prone and the club is rebuilding with focus on a new generation given how far we are off from challenging. Even the most blindly optomistic would have to say we have a ways to go before we can even call ourselves a contender.
Of recent examples of those in Richo's predicament, Hird retired even though he was still one of their best 2 or 3(B&F last season) because he saw his side was a long way off and he was only taking opportunities of a junior who might one day add another premiership to Essendon. It was a selfless act that I thoroughly admired at the time.
At least when Robert Harvey went around one year too long his side was in with a shot at a Premiership.
He too was seen as integral to the Saints until he retired but they have gone from strength to strength without him there as others have had to bridge the gap.
There is life after club champions.
In tune with his entire career arguably since the hamstring injury, Richmond too have inexplicably done better without Richo in the team. Younger players have had to step up in his absence and whilst not as effective individually as the big lug have been learning the ropes and will be better next seaosn for the experience. Personally I don't think we have missed him much but even if he's fully fit what does it offer us? The difference between 13th & 11th in 2010?
I really question why he wants to play next year in the wake of this year's catastrophe but the answer to that is likely simple.
He loves the club and wants to be part of it, I think he'd like to play forever if he could. Heck we all would but there comes a time to hang up the boots and be happy with your lot. That time is now.
jb03 said:
If that's to be the case I hope it's handled with the dignity he deserves.
) I would like to see Richo stay at the club. However, lets put his performance last year and the brownlow votes in perspective: The vast majority of Richo's brownlow votes were awarded up to Round 15/16. From this point onwards the strain of playing an intense role on the wing slowed him down and consequently he really didnt poll much in the votes. I still vividly recall how much Richo struggled in round 22 against Freo- he was absolutely shot! Now, if we consider that he is a year older and has missed the majority of this season, in my mind it makes perfect sense to push Riewoldt up the ground and use Richo as a presence in the square. This approach may even serve to prevent soft tissue injuries to which Richo is susceptible.