Star Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt made a sound return to the playing field against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG yesterday after nearly three months on the sidelines recovering from a severe knee injury.
Riewoldt, in his first game since sustaining PCL damage against Melbourne on Anzac Eve, and just fourth overall appearance for the season, had 10 disposals, three inside-50s, seven score involvements, took three marks and kicked a goal in the Tigers’ decisive 27-point victory.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was pleased with what he saw from the triple Coleman Medallist, dual Jack Dyer Medallist and Tigers premiership hero.
“It was good for Jack to get through the game unscathed,” Hardwick said.
“Obviously Jack’s missed a lot of footy, so he was always going to be a little bit rusty . . . We were just pleased that he ran through the game and looked in good touch.
“He’s got some things that obviously will come with some more time playing, but it was a great result that he got through the game for us.”
Riewoldt, for his part, was rapt to resume playing with the Tigers after such a lengthy lay-off.
“It’s good to get back out here on the field,” he told Fox Footy in a post-match interview.
“I was a bit scratchy early, but I felt like I ran some pretty good patterns.
“Didn’t get as much of the ball as I would have liked, but in the bigger picture of the thing, we had a really good win.
“Felt like myself and ‘Lynchy’ (Tom Lynch) worked really well together, along with Mabior (Chol) as well.”
