For the past decade, one name has amazed and dazzled the AFL North West competition.
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BILLY JUPP takes a deeper look at the man affectionately known as Modra and the legacy he has in the region.
THERE are certain players that leave you in awe every time they go near the ball.
This special type of player exists at virtually every level of football.
In the AFL, the examples of magical players are endless and feature some of the greatest to ever play the game.
AFL North West is no different and for the past decade one name has drawn the applause, respect and love from teammates and opponents alike.
He plays for the New England Nomads and his name is David Richards, but to those who share a field with him he is better known as "Modra".
Originally hailing from South Australia, Richards has found love, purpose and left an indelible impact on football in the region.
"Growing up, I split my time between Esperance and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia," Richards said.
"I had played a lot of junior footy, but I never really played against men until I moved over to Armidale.
"I always loved my footy and I am just really grateful to have the opportunity to keep playing a game I really love."
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By his own admission, Richards' path to Armidale was far from conventional, but a path that changed his life for the better.
"To be honest, I was on a bit of a bad path as a teenager back in Western Australia," Richards said.
"I was probably hanging around with the wrong crowd, smoking from time to time and doing things I probably shouldn't be doing.
"So when I came over to Armidale with my family for a funeral, my dad pretty much asked me if I wanted to stay and give living over here a go.
"I wasn't too sure how I'd go moving so far away from where I grew up, but I was keen to give it a go.
"So I moved over here when I was 17; in fact, I remember playing against the Muswellbrook Cats on my 18th birthday."
Richards said his first year in Armidale was tough but proved to be a turning point in his life.
"Towards the end of my first year here, I thought about going home, but I met my current partner and decided to stay," he said.
"I'm so glad I did, brother - because to be honest with you, it is the best thing I have ever done.
"We have created a little family together and now I really feel as though I have found my home, a place I really belong.
"I still love to go back to Western Australia to see my mates and family, but I only like to visit because this is my home now.
"Honestly, I couldn't be happier with where I am at."
With his life heading in a positive direction off-field, Richards' performances on-field continued to amaze as the years rolled by.
So much so that his impact helped create a dynasty for the New England Nomads.
A stunning five-straight premiership victories between 2012 and 2016 all had one common denominator: Richards.
Current New England Nomads coach James Treweeke said he did not "know where to begin" in explaining the long-term impact Richards had had on the club.
"Well, obviously, he is a great talent but that is really just scratching the surface of him as a person," Treweeke said.
"I dare say he features in the game plan of all the other teams in the competition and how best they can stop him.
"Aside from that, as a leader he has been the captain of our club for the past four or five years, which shows how well respected he is by the entire playing group."
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Treweeke said the respect extended beyond just the New England Nomads fold and into the entire competition.
"He is always the first to throw his hand up to help out our club and the league as a whole," he said.
"In fact, this weekend we have a bye, but he heard the Moree Suns were a bit short on players for their game in Tamworth, so he put his hand up to help out and recruited a few other guys to join him.
"In my book, that is the move of a classy man that loves his footy and is keen to give back to the game wherever he can."
Despite winning five straight premierships with the Nomads, Richards said he regarded his time at AFL North West representative level as one of his greatest achievements.
"The football here is really good and so are all the people involved," he said.
"That's why I'd have to say finally winning some representative games is probably the highlight of my time here.
"For so long we weren't just beaten - we were thrashed.
"So for us to not only win, but win well, over the last couple of years has been a big thing for me and all of the boys.
"I know guys like Andrew George, who in my opinion is the best player in the competition, worked really hard to get that win, so it was great to help do that."
Long-time opponent and Gunnedah Bulldogs legend Andrew George agreed success at representative level was hard won.
"I think 2017 was the first time we had beaten the North Coast in something like 19 years," George said.
"It had been a goal of ours for a really long time and I think getting Greg Piggot on board as coach was the catalyst for our success.
"He got guys like Modra on board and really helped focus our attention on getting the job done."
As for his representative teammate and long-time opponent, George said there were few better players in the competition than Richards.
"You much prefer to play alongside him than against him," he said.
"In my book, he is right up there as one of the best players I've seen during my time in the competition."
In terms of his future, Richards believes there is still some good football left ahead of him.
"I'm very thankful for my teammates, the supporters and really everyone who plays a part in this competition," he said.
"I also have my my partner and child to think about now as well, so the thought of taking a step back is there. But, while I still have the chance, I will keep enjoying it."
As for the legendary nickname, Richards confirmed it stretched back to his childhood.
"It might be a little hard to believe now I have dark hair, but as a child I had sandy blonde hair," he said.
"Growing up in South Australia in the 1990s, there was a famous Adelaide Crows full forward named Tony Modra.
"So because of that, my family started calling me Modra - and it has stuck with me all these years later."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
