Footy: The troubles and triumphs of Richo, Part 2

By Domenic Favata

1997-2001

The next few years were mediocre years for Richmond, but solid seasons for Richardson. He was carrying the Tigers while the club failed to set a stable foundation; they had three coaches in three years and languished outside the eight. (Twice in four years they finished ninth.) Richardson had to cope with the changes to his club; he did that with ease, like a champion would.

1997 was a solid year for Richo, he played 19 games and kicked 47 goals. He picked up the Richmond leading goalkicking award as well as polling 9 Brownlow votes in a struggling side. His marking was his strength, coming 3^rd for total marks and taking some beauties in the process.

Richardson was continued to improve, but injuries stopped him from reaching his full potential. He was restricted to 16 games in 1998 but still managed to kick 55 goals, which won him the leading goal kicking award for Richmond. It was a year of lost opportunities for both Richardson and his club, with Richmond finishing 9^th again. But Richardson never stopped. He  continued to ride on the fans support and never disappointed them.

Richardson had a great year in 1999, he played 20 games and kicked 67 goals, which earned him another All Australian award and his first international rules series jersey against Ireland. He smashed the competition in marks once again, showing how deadly he can be in the air. One of his best performances came in a round 13 win against Fremantle, where he had 23 disposals, 15 marks and 6 goals. This was one of Richo’s best years, winning numerous awards and killing it on the field.

The start of the decade was a start of a new coaching era for Richmond, with ex-St Kilda captain Danny Frawley appointed to take over. But it was a bad year for Richardson, injury restricted him to 3 games and 13 goals. Richardson would bounce back after this season, everyone knew he had those qualities in him, which made people wonder why he was never captain of his club?

2001 was a great year for Richmond, the coach and Richardson. Richmond finished 3^rd and made a preliminary final and Richardson played every game and kicked 56 goals. He picked up the club leading goalkicking award again and continued to perform on the big stage, where it counted.

Richardson kept on coming at his critics, with some criticising him for his in accurate goal kicking and attitude on the field. This was all to change in coming years which made Richardson a better player. Injuries hampered him during this middle part of his career, but you can never keep a good player down.

Stayed tuned for part 3