Matthew Richardson thought his career was all but over after a meeting with Terry Wallace early in 2008.
Richardson had played his entire career as a forward, but upon the arrival of Jack Riewoldt, Richo found his place in the team in jeopardy.
Entering his second season, Riewoldt was starting to make a name for himself. But Wallace, coach at the time, was concerned he was not good delivery from his midfield due to the presence of veteran and club stalwart, Matthew Richardson.
Speaking on The Talking Footy Podcast, Richo says Wallace wanted to help Riewoldt's development, by moving the veteran out of the forward line.
Wallace suggested moving Richardson to the wing and at the time, he was not overly impressed with the idea.
But he soon learned if he didn't accept the decision, his career could be over.
"I walked into the club on a Monday and Plough (Terry Wallace) said 'Richo, I need to have a chat to you' and I thought 'oh this aint good'," Richardson said.
"I walked into his office and he said 'I need a favour out of you ... we've got Jack Riewoldt here at the club now.
"We're not looking for Jack, we're kicking it to you all the time. Jack's actually finding good positions...we reckon he's going to be a good player' and I said 'I do too'.
"He said 'Well we want you to play on a wing, what do you think about that?'
"I said 'I don't think about playing on a wing, Plough. I said maybe (I could) go back to the goal square, Jack can play up the ground.
"He said 'well look, if you don't actually embrace it you're going to play for Coburg'. It was that clear.
"I remember driving out of the club thinking 'I'm in trouble here'. I thought my career was done."
As it turns out, Richardson's move to the wing proved a master stroke and he ended up finishing third in the Brownlow Medal in 2008 after a brilliant season.
Richardson ended up retiring the following year, at the end of the 2009 season, after 282 games and 800 goals. He retired a 13-time Richmond leading goal kicker, a member of the Richmond team of the century and a three-time All-Australian.
Riewoldt, of course, has gone on to become a star forward, winning two Coleman Medals and kicking 510 goals in his 212 game playing career to date.
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