MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: A 20th AFL team would drain our talent pool & Carlton must stop Isaac Heeney

1. Congratulations to outgoing Richmond CEO Brendan Gale.

Over his 14 years at the helm Richmond regained its position as a powerhouse club. His bold predictions at the start of his tenure of three premierships, zero debt and 75,000 members were more than realised. Tasmania Football Club got their man. Bravo Brendan. The Tiger faithful are forever grateful.

2. While we are on Tasmania, another example of why you should invest in a brand new stadium is on display at GMHBA in Geelong.

What a fantastic experience it is now for footy fans. If you build it they will come. Prominent Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas has opened his amazing Chin Chin eatery inside the ground. This will attract even more people to the ground during the week. Get it done Tassie.

3. I don’t like going early crow on a young player but it’s hard not too with Sam Darcy.

At 208cm and with agility its scary to think what he may do when he reaches his maturity. I’ve heard they call him “The Unicorn” at the Doggies. Hard to disagree.

4. No to Premiership rings – it’s an American thing.

No to premiership medals for players that didn’t play in the grand final. No to a sendoff rule, and before it comes up again, no to a best of three grand final series.

5. The talk of a 20th team in Darwin seems a bit premature.

While it would be great to have a team in the NT, do we have enough talent? I think our talent pool is already thinning and with the new Tassie team coming in 2028 the pool is draining very quickly.

6. Apart from a few breaks through injury it’s hard to think of a more consistent first third to an AFL career than Carlton’s Sam Walsh.

He came into the team in round five and has blitzed the ball (34, 35, 31, 33 and 34 possessions). The only thing he needs now is to hit the scoreboard a little more as he is an absolute pro.

7. Christian Petracca’s move forward after quarter time against the Blues was nearly match-winning as he booted five goals in a sublime performance.

But did it create more questions than answers for Melbourne’s forwards. They still can’t quite find the right mix. But there’s plenty of time for Simon Goodwin to get it right by September.

8. All eyes will be on the SCG tomorrow night.

The Swans are flying and this is another huge test for the Blues. Sydney have the most in-form player in comp in Isaac Heeney. He’s had coaches votes in all nine games so far. The only other players to do this have been Chris Judd, Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands. Guy is a superstar.

9. Got to see another band last week.

Cash Savage and the Last Drinks at the Famous Tote Hotel in Collingwood. If they come to your town I recommend you get some tickets and take the chance to see them live.

10. At home this week we got duped. One daughter got a little virus.

Oldest daughter cottoned on and pulled the old swifty on us. Refusing to go to school because she too was sick. I had my doubts but what can you do as you can’t send them to school sick right? Did the same myself as a kid. Stomach ache that bad I was crawling on the ground. As soon as mum left for school with my siblings I was shooting hoops in the driveway but I miscalculated mum’s return. Uniform on, straight to school I went.