Ian won the Jack Clarke Medal for the best and fairest player in the WAFL Colts competition in 2006 before his dreams of player AFL football were dealt a blow when he missed selection in the draft.
Debuting in Round 1 of the WAFL 2008 season against West Perth, Richardson managed to kick a goal in his first game.
He went through the entire 2008 season managing to get a goal in every single match.
[2] The goalsneak was awarded the Simpson Medal for his best-on-ground display for Western Australia in their 73-point victory over Queensland in Townsville.
[3] The match was the first appearance for Ian in WA colours after he was overlooked for state junior representative teams.