Ex-Tiger Matthew Richardson fired up by dad’s Grand Final heroics
As he prepares to roll out an an all-Aussie playlist during the Cox Plate and AFL Grand Final broadcasts, Matthew Richardson says he finds inspiration in watching footage of his dad play in the last Cats-Tigers Grand Final.
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Matthew Richardson is taking inspiration for the upcoming Tigers versus Cats clash from a classic match that’s close to his home and heart.
His father, the late Alan “Bull” Richardson, played in the last Geelong and Richmond Grand Final, and was a pivotal member of the Tigers’ drought-breaking 1967 premiership team.
Matthew, a former Tigers superstar, said: “We have an old VHS tape of the 1967 grand final, and it’s the only game of football I saw dad play.
“It’s old black and white footage, and the VHS tracking is all stuffed, but I play it regularly and I know all the moments in that game.
“I was always proud my father played in a premiership.”
Richardson, an AFL commentator on Channel 7, added: “My dad was low key. He didn’t talk about his career a hell of a lot. You had to probe him more than anything.
“But my motivation was always to follow in his footsteps.”
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Richardson and veteran singer Daryl Braithwaite met at The Espy in St Kilda on Tuesday to promote an all-Aussie classic rock playlist that Channel 7 will roll out during Cox Plate and AFL Grand Final broadcasts on Saturday.
“We’ve been a bit divided this year, with borders closed and everything,” Richardson said. “It’s a great time to bring everyone together and celebrate Australian music.”
A fan of heritage rock acts like INXS, Midnight Oil and Men at Work, Richardson said: “For me, music was an escape from footy. It can be all consuming, footy. After a game, I liked to go to a gig, have a beer, and get my head out of football.”
Braithwaite will perform his mega-hit The Horses, with full band, but no crowd, at Moonee Valley.
“Most musicians really appreciate, at the end of a song, clapping or booing,” Braithwaite said.
“When there’s nothing, that makes it weird. But it will be good to get out with the band and perform live again. We’ve really missed it.”
Braithwaite’s late-1980s hits One Summer and As The Days Go By played on the AM radio when young Richo tuned in to hear the hits.
“It was regular top 40 and whatever cassettes I had,” Richardson said. “But anything with guitars and drums are my go.”
His first gig was Johnny Diesel and the Injectors at the Launceston Silverdome. “We were in Year 9 at school and got a bus into town with a heap of kids. It was big deal to go to a gig, and all the boys wanted to be like Johnny.”
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