Richmond great Matthew Richardson will sit out the rest of the AFL season, despite being cleared of major hamstring damage.

Richardson will now also undergo knee surgery, which the club describes as minor.

The Tigers key forward returned on the weekend in the VFL after several months out with hamstring tendon surgery.

But he only lasted a few minutes in the match before leaving the field.

The club said Richardson was due to have knee surgery in the off-season and this would now come forward.

"I did a lot of hard work to make it back for the last few rounds of the season, but unfortunately it hasn't worked out the way I planned," Richardson said in a club statement.

"I thought it was sensible to sit out the rest of the season and get myself fit again.

"I think it was a sign that I needed to take more time."

Richardson, 34, is the league's oldest current player.

He wants to keep playing next year, but that decision must wait until the Tigers appoint their new coach next month.

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