

“He’s F**king Open!” - a statue of Matthew Richardson at the MCG
The issue
To: The Honchos at the MCC, AFL big wigs, and every footy-loving Aussie with a pulse,
G’Day team, Coach Cole here with an important message…. It’s time we stopped muckin’ around and gave a proper nod to the big fella, the Richmond spearhead, the people’s champ, the one and only Matthew “Richo” Richardson.
Now I’m not just chuckin’ this out there after a few too many frothies at the club — I’m deadly serious. Richo kicked 464 sausage rolls at the MCG. That’s more than anyone.
EVER.
Blokes have built entire careers off a highlight reel shorter than one Richo hanger over three defenders on a wet Saturday arvo.
And yet… no statue?
WHAT. A. JOKE.
This is a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, his jumper half-tucked, and his emotions broadcast to 80,000 people and Channel 7 in full HD. He was passion, he was chaos, he was pure bloody footy theatre. And he was ALWAYS. BLOODY. OPEN.
So here’s what we want:
A statue at the ‘G. Right out the front concourse Arms up, eyebrows raised, giving the classic spray, yelling:
“I’M FKING OPEN!!”**
(That’s the name of the statue, by the way.)
We’re talkin’ bronze greatness. Wind in the hair. Guernsey half-twisted. Maybe even one sock down for authenticity.
We’re not sayin’ he was perfect. But that’s the whole point. Richo was all heart, all guts, all glory — and we bloody loved him for it.
So sign this petition and let’s get the big man immortalised, right where he belongs. Outside the ‘G. Where legends live forever — and where Richo kicked more snags than Bunnings on a long weekend.
Yours in passion, premierships, and proper recognition,
Coach Cole - Just a humble premiership coach who knows greatness when he f**kin’ sees it.
14
The issue
To: The Honchos at the MCC, AFL big wigs, and every footy-loving Aussie with a pulse,
G’Day team, Coach Cole here with an important message…. It’s time we stopped muckin’ around and gave a proper nod to the big fella, the Richmond spearhead, the people’s champ, the one and only Matthew “Richo” Richardson.
Now I’m not just chuckin’ this out there after a few too many frothies at the club — I’m deadly serious. Richo kicked 464 sausage rolls at the MCG. That’s more than anyone.
EVER.
Blokes have built entire careers off a highlight reel shorter than one Richo hanger over three defenders on a wet Saturday arvo.
And yet… no statue?
WHAT. A. JOKE.
This is a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, his jumper half-tucked, and his emotions broadcast to 80,000 people and Channel 7 in full HD. He was passion, he was chaos, he was pure bloody footy theatre. And he was ALWAYS. BLOODY. OPEN.
So here’s what we want:
A statue at the ‘G. Right out the front concourse Arms up, eyebrows raised, giving the classic spray, yelling:
“I’M FKING OPEN!!”**
(That’s the name of the statue, by the way.)
We’re talkin’ bronze greatness. Wind in the hair. Guernsey half-twisted. Maybe even one sock down for authenticity.
We’re not sayin’ he was perfect. But that’s the whole point. Richo was all heart, all guts, all glory — and we bloody loved him for it.
So sign this petition and let’s get the big man immortalised, right where he belongs. Outside the ‘G. Where legends live forever — and where Richo kicked more snags than Bunnings on a long weekend.
Yours in passion, premierships, and proper recognition,
Coach Cole - Just a humble premiership coach who knows greatness when he f**kin’ sees it.
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Petition created on 24 March 2025