Richardson was one of 10 previously drafted or previously nominated players pre-listed by Gold Coast, after starring with the North Ballarat Roosters - North Melbourne's VFL affiliate.
The 189cm half-back flanker was overlooked in the draft as an 18-year-old, after knocking back an invitation to attend the TAC Cup tryout session, which clashed with his first day of work at the local cinema.
He was asked to try out for a spot on Richmond's rookie list later that year, but a bout of the dreaded osteitis pubis prevented him from doing so.
Richardson won two best and fairest awards in the Ballarat Football League and joined the Roosters ahead of the 2009 season.
The apprentice plumber won a premiership with North Ballarat this season and was also named in the VFL team of the year, prompting his invitation to the 2010 NAB AFL Draft Combine.
Richardson was on-traded to the Roos half and hour before the end of trade week, after telling the Suns he wasn't interested in playing for them and that he only wanted to join North Melbourne.
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said Richardson was worth the second-round price tag.
"He'll play as a 23 year-old next year and we think he'll have an immediate impact. He's a 189cm half-back flanker and wingman. He's strong overhead and we think he can play a variety of roles," Scott told Kangaroos.com.au.
"It's a great story. A year ago he was playing local footy in Ballarat and a year later he's on an AFL list."
Gold Coast relinquished two other pre-listed players on the last day of trade week.
Norwood forward Simon Phillips was sent to Port Adelaide along with pick No.35 in exchange for the Power's second-round compensatory pick for losing defender Nathan Krakouer to the Suns.
Perth midfielder Tendai Mzungu and pick No.44 were traded to Fremantle in exchange for the Dockers' pick No.38.
Phillips played five games in two years at the Sydney Swans before being delisted at the end of 2007, following a couple of off-field indiscretions.
The 23-year-old joined SANFL club Norwood and enjoyed a break-out year under new coach Nathan Bassett this season.
He was a member of the Redlegs' losing grand final side, but doesn't recall much of the match after being concussed and having his jaw fractured in multiple places by Central District's star Ian Callinan.
Power football operations manager Peter Rohde said he expected Phillips to slot into the forward line next season.
"Simon had a very good season for Norwood and was very impressive in their recent finals campaign,” Rohde said.
“He is lightning quick, can carry the football and has demonstrated an ability to kick goals at important times as well.
"Importantly we see Simon as a person of great character and we think he will fit in very well within the culture of our playing group.”
The Phillips trade was the only completed deal for Port Adelaide in the exchange period, after the club failed to offload forward Daniel Motlop or secure Carlton utility Andrew Walker.
Follow our complete coverage of the 2010 AFL exchange period from October 5-11. No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Monday, October 11.Join the AFL trade conversation on Twitter: use #tradeweek in your tweets.
