Richmond legend Matthew Richardson retires with the same mindset that sustained him throughout his stellar 282-game AFL career. “Richo” knows he could not have given any more.

“I’d just like to be remembered for someone who gave as much as he had for Richmond,” Richardson said.

“I left everything out there on game day, I gave my all, I always tried to run out games to the best of my ability.”

A bad medical report on Monday confirmed Richardson’s worst fears – the hamstring tendon that had restricted his season to only six senior games was not improving.

In fact, the problem was worsening and he would need surgery to play again.

Richardson, at 34 the league’s oldest player this year, knew his time was up.

The news broke on Thursday night and Richardson fronted a packed media conference at the club’s Punt Rd headquarters on Friday morning to discuss the decision and an amazing career.

“I’m disappointed that I’m not playing on next year, because I really did want to, but I have a definite feeling that I’ve made the right decision,” he said.

“I haven’t got any doubts that I’ve made the right decision.”

While Richardson only played in three finals during his 17 seasons at Richmond, he leaves the game as one of the all-time greats.

He had his imperfections – especially the sour on-field demeanour when the ball was kicked to him poorly – but they only rounded out his personality.

Richardson earnt the rare distinction of being universally-loved and respected in the game.

His equal-third place in last year’s Brownlow Medal was arguably as popular than Adam Cooney’s win.

“The highs were magnificent – the big marks and the goals around the corner,” said his former team-mate and current Essendon coach Matthew Knights.

“Even the things that went wrong, you saw Richo reflecting for the next three or four seconds on-field, and even that was entertaining.

“He’d give you everything.”

New Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was opposed to Richardson as a defender and coach at three clubs.

Hardwick said 15 other coaches would be relieved that Richardson will no longer be on their match-up boards.

“Although it’s a sad day for Richmond, it’s a sadder day for the wider football community,” Hardwick said.

“On the field, it was always `where’s Richo?’ when you played against him.

“When people come through the gates to watch a certain player, that is a mark of a champion.”

Richardson, the son of former Tigers champion Alan “Bull” Richardson, was also incredibly loyal.

He revealed on Friday that he once went to Denis Pagan’s house to talk to him while he was Carlton coach.

But that was as close as he came to leaving Richmond.

Richardson’s retirement is another landmark in a time of great change at the Tigers.

Hardwick has taken over, Brendon Gale is the new chief executive, the social club has been demolished and the playing list is in the middle of an overhaul.

Even Moggie, the stray cat who lived outside the front door at Punt Rd for years, was given a club funeral a few weeks ago.

For all Richardson’s disappointment that his time in the famous No.12 guernsey is over, at least he was able to make his own decision.

“I guess in football, not many players or coaches, or anyone involved in footy clubs, get the opportunity to go out of their own accord,” he said.

“So … I’m really grateful to Richmond for giving me the opportunity to be one of those few people who can make my own decision.

“I guess I would change a few things – obviously 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.”

© AAP 2012

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