His 282-game career came at a leaner time for the Tigers, only taking the field for three finals matches but the 13-time club leading goal kicker is still bursting with excitement as his day looks filled to the rim with media commitments.

"I can't wait for the game to start," he said.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

"It's a long week - the build up - and you play the game over in your head if you're a supporter which I am. A nuffie Richmond supporter.

"That's what you want, isn't it? Your team in the grand final and after 2017 it's exciting."

Overcome with emotion following that fairytale ending, Richardson was seen sobbing on the boundary line when the result was sealed with the tall forward believing the side better positioned now.

"I think they are a better team than 2017. There are players that played in that premiership team that aren't playing that are still at the club.

"They've added an A-grade forward, they have players in career-best form - Shane Edwards, Dion Prestia and [Dustin] Martin's playing nearly as well as he did.

"They are a completely different team, play a different style of footy now and I think they are better equipped to win the premiership than they were in '17."

And he expects Tasmania's duo, Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis to be up there with the side's strongest performers.

TIME TO DECIDE:

"Nank has had an injury-interrupted year but he's back in the team now and he's a warrior, he loves this sort of combative game so he will play well.

"Jack obviously has had an interrupted year as well... he didn't have his best game last week but he plays a real team game now.

"It's not about goals and marks anymore for Jack, he sacrifices himself so Lynch can get one out, Martin can get one out so I think Jack will play really well, he's a big-time player."

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