Richmond star forward Matthew Richardson has signed on until 2008, but is keen to play on beyond that time because he believes the AFL club is finally on the verge of success.

Defender and two-time club champion Joel Bowden also signed a new deal which will keep him with the Tigers for another two seasons.

Since Richardson, 31, was drafted in 1992, the Tigers have played in only two finals series - in 1995 and 2001.

Richardson missed the 1995 finals series with a knee injury, meaning his 225 games have included only three finals matches, all in 2001.

Bowden, 27, who made his debut in 1996, has also played in just the three 2001 finals in his 201 games.

But Richardson said the large group of youngsters who had helped the Tigers to win five of its past six matches, had him convinced the club was about to enter a brighter era.

"I think it's definitely the most promising since I've been at the club," Richardson said.

"Richard Tambling's really starting to play some good footy now, obviously Brett Deledio, Dean Polo's come in and just been a revelation, Danny Meyer played well on the weekend, Adam Pattison's done well the past two weeks.

"I think you'd say there's some exciting times coming up in the next few years."

All five of those players were recruited in the 2004 national draft, while Richmond's top two picks from the 2005 draft - Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls and Cleve Hughes - have also made their debuts this season.

"Obviously that's what drives you to keep playing, that's why you play, to play finals football," Richardson said.

"We've had seven players from our top seven selections over the past two years playing this year, so that tells me that we've got a pretty bright future and I want to be a part of it.

"With the young side that we've got, I'd certainly like to play as long as I can, as long as I'm contributing."

Bowden expressed similar positive sentiments about the Tigers' future.

"We've got such a young group coming through, hopefully they learn rapidly and Matthew and I can both enjoy the talent and the expertise that (coach Terry Wallace) is giving these young guys, we can enjoy a little bit of success," he said.

Of more immediate concern, Richardson is expected to miss the Tigers' next three matches after having surgery to repair a wrist dislocation and fracture.

While coach Terry Wallace held out some hope Richardson would play against Hawthorn in Launceston in round 12, he admitted a round 13 return after the mid-season break was more realistic.

Wallace conceded the absence of Richardson - who has been the club's leading goal-kicker in 10 seasons - would leave a hole that was impossible to fill.

"I don't know whether there's any teams that have the best contested marking player over the last 10 years sitting around at VFL level," he said.

"The answer is you don't replace him, what you need to do is just try to pick up a little bit of the slack."

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