EFNL 2025: Mulgrave’s Matt Richards notches 500 games

Mulgrave’s Matt Richards had lost count and “didn’t know the milestone was coming”. This weekend, he becomes the only person in the century-old club’s history to notch 500 games combined as a player and coach.

Mulgrave’s Matt Richards enters rare air this weekend with game 500.

He arrived at 16.

He’s now 52.

In his words: “I just didn’t want to leave”.

Mulgrave’s Matt Richards chalks up game No. 500 combined as a player and coach this weekend, becoming the first to reach the milestone at the century-old club.

The Eastern league Division 2 senior coach admits the rare feat crept up on him about a month or so ago – met with a standing ovation as Mulgrave toasted its 100th anniversary at a packed MCG dining room.

“On the night I didn’t know it was coming,” Richards says.

“The appreciation I got from some of the older people that were really important when I first started at the club, that really resonated with me – that I’ve stuck around and tried my best to help the club improve.”

EFNL 2025: Matt Richards honoured for 500 games at Mulgrave's centenary gala. Picture: Mulgrave FC

EFNL 2025: Matt Richards toasts 500 games. Picture: Mulgrave FC

Strolling into the under-17s in 1987, Richards would go on to represent the Lions in a club-record 352 games at open-age level, lacing up for the ‘18s, reserves and seniors.

He’d go on to coach across all grades – the reserves, then the under-19s – coming within a whisker of a flag in 2022 before stepping into the senior role just days later.

Matt Richards chaired off after game 300.

But what has made Mulgrave such a special place to hang around for almost four decades?

“I was just a local kid when I went down there,” Richards recalls.

“I just met some really good people and really enjoyed it … getting around the older guys, they were nearly at the end of their careers, and I’m 18, having a beer with them and I just enjoyed talking to them and hearing the stories.

“As I went through the senior part of my career, it wasn’t about being loyal to the club, I just didn’t want to leave – this is my place and these people are going to be my life for a long time.

“We’ve got a great coterie group, all my mates from my playing days are still around, and now I get to be a part of the next group as their coach.

“I love it.”

Richards with his daughter after his 300th game in 2008.

The fact that most of his players weren’t even born when he arrived is enough to spin the stalwart out.

“It’s a weird milestone – the players are taking the p*** out of me with it – they think it’s hilarious, in a good way. It’s just a bizarre number,” Richards laughs.

“They’ve been there two years, five years … they just laugh. They’re not even that old, that’s how long I’ve been at the club.”

Matt Richards, as inked by well-known footy artist Paul Harvey.

Asked to name the best players he’s seen in almost 40 years at the Lions, a string of champions rush to mind.

“You’ve got to go (seven-time best and fairest) Gerry Boonkkamp – that’s pretty easy,” Richards quips.

“Then you’ve got to throw (senior games and goals record-holder) Adam Booth in there.

“Dean Siakoulis, the (six) b & fs stack up … (2010 premiership captain) Brad Fowler was fantastic as well, but then real hard-at-it type players who drive the standards of the footy club – Daniel Stokie – a hugely important person around the club.”

“How many is that? Five?” Richards fires back, conceding there are simply far too many to name.

Perhaps not as many as the mateships forged over 500 games across nearly four decades.

“It did resonate with me that I’ve made an impact on a lot of people – I know those older people love that they have a connection that I’m still there, not just as a supporter,” Richards says.

“The guy they played with is the coach, and these guys are in their 70s, so that’s pretty cool.”

Mulgrave will mark the milestone at home against East Burwood on Saturday.