One of the major highlights of our Centenary Gala was when everybody was able to toast the amazing contribution that current senior coach Matt Richards has made to Mulgrave.

We have jumped the gun and gone a few weeks early, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make a special presentation on a night when so many Mulgrave people were gathered.

Richo arrived at the club in 1987 to play Under 17s, and in Round 12 against East Burwood will bring up an amazing 500 GAMES as a player or head coach for Mulgrave at all levels.

Richo played Under 17s, Under 18s, Reserves and Seniors for the club and has coached the Under 19.5s, Reserves and Seniors, bringing up the staggering tally of 500 games directly involved as a player or head coach of one of our teams.

In nearly 40 years, he did take a few seasons off... and how did he spend that? Among other things, coaching son Riley at our affiliated junior club, Glen Waverley Rovers.

Across his time Richo has met and influenced countless Mulgrave people and it was amazing to have so many of them on hand for this. Thanks to former senior coach and life member John Kelly for taking charge of the formalities. Seeing the packed room rise for a standing ovation for Richo was a very special moment and a fitting recognition for one of our all-time legends.

Local footy clubs are built on the passion and hard work of people dedicated to the cause, and nobody demonstrates that like Richo. It’s hard to think where the club would be without him.

And so he becomes the first (and only) member of The 500 Club at Mulgrave. Sorry if the club meetings are a bit lonely Richo... but it’s going to take an enormous effort for anybody to match your contribution. We’ll take care of the bar tab!