Australian Football

After failing to make the grade at North Melbourne Alan Richardson was given a second chance by Collingwood for whom he made his VFL debut in 1987. Over the course of his first three seasons he was in and out of the side before establishing himself in the seniors, playing mainly across half back, in what was to prove to be a premiership year for the Magpies. There was to be a massive sting in the tail, however, because in the second semi final defeat of Essendon he suffered a cracked collar bone, an injury which saw him miss the grand final re-match with Collingwood in which Collingwood emerged victorious by eight goals.

Boasting great reserves of stamina, Richardson was sometimes under-estimated by opposition sides but was highly regarded within the club. He retired in 1996 after playing 114 games and kicking 10 goals.

Alan Richardson later embarked on a varied coaching career highlighted by a stint as senior coach of St Kilda from November 2013 until his resignation after a run of poor results in July 2019.

Author - John Devaney