Star Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt has expressed excitement about playing in the inaugural Friday night game of AFL football in his native state of Tasmania.
Riewoldt will line up for the Tigers against North Melbourne at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena (formerly known as Bellerive Oval) in a huge Round 11 clash this Friday night.
It’s Riewoldt’s old home ground, where he grew up playing at junior and senior level for the Clarence Football Club.
He returned there last year with Richmond, when it took on North Melbourne in a Round 6 day game. The Tigers lost that encounter by 35 points, but Riewoldt was a solid contributor with 12 disposals, six marks, three inside-50s and three goals.
“It’s something that I suppose a lot of AFL players don’t actually get to do – play on the ground that they played junior footy on,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy’s ‘AFL 360’ program.
“My dad played 280 games for the Clarence Roos on Bellerive Oval. I can remember when there were no grandstands there . . .
“It’s exciting. I love going home.
“It’s great to see my family. My grandparents don’t travel a lot, so they get to see me play footy down there . . . It’s special for that reason.
“It’s something that I’ll certainly treasure in my retirement . . .
“I’m very excited for it, and it’s going to be fantastic for Tasmania and Tasmanian footy . . . first Friday night game down there . . .”
Jack's Bellerive highlights
