The AFL has lost one of its biggest stars and most charismatic personalities, as Richmond star Matthew Richardson has announced his retirement.

Richardson, 34, has passed on the mantle as the league's oldest player, and will officially call time on a remarkable 282-game career which yielded 800 goals over 17 seasons at a press conference at Punt Road on Friday.

Although he enjoyed a rejuvenation late in his career, when he played on a wing and finished equal-third in the 2008 Brownlow Medal, Richardson decided his body could not cope with the rigours of playing one more season after an injury-ruined 2009.

The forward's season ended after round six this year when he ruptured a hamstring tendon, which required surgery and a long rehabilitation process.

As little as two months ago Richardson was confident he could line up for a first season under new coach Damien Hardwick, and this week Tigers skipper Chris Newman said his teammate was progressing well in his light training.

But Richardson said he had decided to retire after assessing his first few weeks of the pre-season campaign.

"I wanted to see how I pulled up after a few weeks of training before I made a final decision, but the hamstring is just not good," he said in a statement on the club's website.

"It hasn't felt right when I've been running and the medical prognosis with it isn't positive.

"So, weighing everything up, it is definitely the right time for me to retire.

"I didn't want to spend the last couple of years of my career riddled with injury."

Richardson's departure will be a blow for Hardwick, whose aim in 2010 will be to claw back respect for the Tigers.

Richmond endured a shocking season 2009, which began with a round-one capitulation to Carlton, continued with Richardson's injury and the departure of Terry Wallace as coach, and ended with five wins and a finish of 15th.

Richardson's departure will also be a blow to fans across the league given his all-round package of brilliant high marking, long but erratic kicking, exceptional athleticism and unbridled loyalty to a club which reached the finals just twice during his career.

His constant good humour in the face of injuries and limited team success, combined with his heart-on-the-sleeve playing style - notable for a gamut of emotions he displayed on the field - made him a hit with fans in a professional era.

Richardson only played in one finals series - in 2001 - as he missed the 1995 series because of a serious knee injury, suffered when he crashed into a fence at the SCG.

He also played just three games in 2000 because of a serious foot injury.

Richardson produced outstanding comeback seasons in each of the years following his major injuries, as he booted 91 goals in 1996, and then bagged 59 in 2001, which included a golden run of form which helped the Tigers secure their finals berth.

He was recruited from Devonport and made his debut in 1993, winning Richmond's 2007 best and fairest and earned three All-Australian honours.

Richardson sits 11th on the league's list of all-time goal kickers.

His father Alan played 103 games for the Tigers as well as in their 1967 premiership side.

Richardson said it was not an easy decision to walk away from football, "but I consider myself fortunate to have played at such a great club as Richmond in front of such wonderfully, loyal, passionate supporters.

"There are so many memories from my time at Tigerland that I will cherish."

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