Richardson won his past two medals in ties with Pinnaroo’s Sunyl Vogt in 2006 and Lameroo’s Shaun Walker in 2007.

But there was no chance of there being a tie in 2008, with Richardson streets ahead of his nearest rival.

The 24-year-old polled a total of 27 votes, with Pinnaroo ruckman Wade Nickolls a distant runner-up with 16 votes.

Richardson polled votes in most rounds, steadily increasing his lead as the night went on, until he was winning by more than 10 votes and had secured a landslide victory.

He thanked his wife, his family and his team-mates for the award and said he was surprised to win it for the third occasion.

“I didn’t really expect to poll that well, I missed a few games this year,” he said.

“But I did kick a few goals this year, so that would have helped.”

The win capped off a good night for Richardson, who came runner-up in the Flow FM Footballer of the Year Award and third in the MFL’s league leading goal kicker list with 55 goals for the season.

Richardson said he followed a simple philosophy when playing for BDT.

“I just go out there and try and get the footy, play my own game and help my team-mates,” he said.

The midfielder and small forward has played for BDT for most of his life, but had a two year stint at Sturt in the SANFL in 2003 and 2004.

Playing as a small forward, Richardson played about 35 games for the Double Blues and managed to kick 45 goals, including a couple hauls of six majors.

But he returned home in 2005 and hasn’t looked back since.

“I have already had a crack in Adelaide,” he said.

“But my future was back home on the farm.

“I came back for that and to play with my mates.”

Richardson said he was hoping to make winning his third consecutive medal a double celebration, as BDT is also going for their third premiership in a row.