The man known simply as “Richo” to Claremont fans is back at “Tigerland”. After travelling in 2014, Ian Richardson will pull on the boots for the Tigers in 2015 and continue an amazing WAFL career which already consists of 126 League games, 306 goals, two premierships, and a best-and-fairest medal. I recently caught up with the cult hero to see how he was, and how he was shaping up after a well-earned break.

Richo, good to see you, how does it feel to be back at the Claremont Football Club?

It’s a very different feel. There’s a lot of younger blokes and a lot of new faces, but I always wanted to return and I did miss the place while I was away and so it’s great to be back.

You’ve been away travelling, where did you go?

I was in Brazil for the World Cup. I also did a ski-season in France and spent a lot of time in Europe, as well as Canada and the USA.

Can you tell us about the World Cup and that experience?

Really good. There was a great atmosphere and I got to see a few Australian games and then we were in Rio for the final. It was amazing.

Was it your intention all along to take a year off and travel?

Yeah, it was the plan. I’d been saving up and I always wanted to get away and spend a summer over in Europe. I guess it’s bad timing with footy over here, but it was something that I always wanted to do. I’m glad that I ticked it off.

What about returning to pre-season? You look a bit buggered at the moment. How are you finding it so far?

I’m definitely not the fittest I’ve ever been and so I’ve got a bit of work to do to catch up, but my skills are looking pretty good and the boys are looking really fit and so it will be a big season ahead.

Going away to travel, did that freshen you up both mentally and physically?

Yeah, for sure. I feel like I’m extra keen to get back into it, I was definitely missing it while I was away.

Have you had an individual pre-season program or just got straight into training with the rest of the playing group?

They’ve basically put me into the deep end so that I can get as fit as I can and catch up.

Did you keep tabs on the teams’ progress last season?

Yeah, definitely. Week by week I was looking at the statistics. Obviously they started off pretty poorly and it was hard to watch, but they had a great finish to the year, really started clicking and so we’re looking to carry that form into next season.

Before you left to travel, you were playing a forward role but pushing up the ground more, almost into a high half-forward role and even spending a bit more time in the midfield. Do you expect to fill similar positions next season?

Yeah, definitely. High half-forward is my favourite position and then I can swing onto the wing and then rest deep and kick a few goals. I just like to help out wherever I can.

One player who really stepped up in your absence this season was Jack Bradshaw by kicking 38 goals and really taking his game to a new level. You must be really looking forward to playing alongside him?

Yeah, “Bradda’s” really stepped it up. He’s always had a lot of class and I’m glad that he put his focus onto becoming a better player. I can work hard with him and also Beau Maister who’s coming back as well. We should have a good forward line.

What about playing under Michael Broadbridge and also some of the other coaches who you haven’t worked with before? Are you looking forward to that?

Definitely. I only met “Broady” a couple of weeks ago, but he’s had a good first impression on me as a good thinker of the game and all the boys spoke really highly of him, especially “Murph” (Jake Murphy) and so he’s done really well to take the team to how they finished last season.

What about the playing group in general, you mentioned that it’s changed so much in the space of 12-18 months, are you confident that we can really challenge next season?

Yeah, definitely. Obviously four senior players (Luke Blackwell, Trinity Handley, Andrew Foster and Matt Orzel) retired last year and so a lot of the boys need to step up in their absence, but there’s about 20 games of extra experience from last year, so hopefully we can build on that and step up next season.

We’re now playing at the Show Grounds while Claremont Oval is redeveloped, what have you heard about the ground because it has a real carnival atmosphere and the team’s really turned it into a home-ground fortress?

Yeah, by all reports they went pretty well. The boys said it was a pretty hard ground and so you don’t want to get tackled into it in case you get a few broken bones (laughs), but I played there for the Colts a few years ago and so I have played there before and the crowd really get into it. Hopefully we can get a few more wins.

You’re 27 now, do you expect to have more of a leadership role around the club?

Definitely. I’m one of only two players who’ve played more than 100 games and so I have to be a leader. I need to use my experience in playing finals football, help the boys who are coming up through the ranks and make them better players.

And what about the “Richo” Chant, are you looking forward to hearing that from the fans next season?

For sure, yeah. I’ve got to kick a few goals and get the crowd going and so I’m looking forward to that.

Richo, thanks for catching up and good luck for the rest of the pre-season.

Thanks Dan. Cheers mate.