Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) -- Melbourne very much prides itself on being the sports capital of the world, and with very good reason. Whether it be football, cricket, soccer, basketball or a number of other sports, Melbourne excels in all of those areas. We quite often elevate sportsmen and women to the position of heroes, and they are often role models for our children. We quite often hold them up as pillars of virtue, but unfortunately from time to time they do let us down. How often do our newspapers feature on their front pages headlines such as 'Fallen sports hero'?

It can leave a very nasty taste in the mouth. For that reason as much as any other, when we come across a true champion we should celebrate them, particularly when an illustrious career comes to an end.

Known Australia-wide simply as 'Richo', Matthew Richardson recently announced an end to his 17-year career with the Richmond football club.

Mr Koch interjected.

Mr FINN -- Mr Koch barracks for Geelong, and he said 'Thank goodness!'. I am not surprised he said that.

Matthew Richardson did not quite get to 300 games, but he played every game with passion and good old-fashioned love of the jumper. The love that Richo showed for Richmond was reciprocated by hundreds of thousands of Tigers fans throughout the nation and shared most recently by millions of footy fans not of the black-and-yellow faith. Who could forget the palpable sense of disappointment when Richo just missed out on the Brownlow Medal last year? Richo is a champion of champions: a champion football player and a champion bloke.