As a dual Coleman Medallist, two-time All-Australian, Jack Dyer Medallist, eight-time Michael Roach Medallist and premiership player, star Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt has achieved plenty throughout his AFL career.
In last night’s top-of-the-table clash with Sydney at Etihad Stadium, however, Riewoldt managed to take his game to the highest level he’s ever attained.
Riewoldt finished the match with 23 disposals, an AFL career-high 16 marks, (eight of them coming inside 50 and seven of them contested), an equal game-high seven inside 50s, a game-high 11 score involvements, three goals off his own boot and 520 metres gained.
Now, Riewoldt has kicked more than three goals numerous times throughout 239 games with the Tigers (54 to be exact), and he’s cracked double figures on the goal front twice – 10 v West Coast, Round 12, 2010 at the MCG and 11 v GWS, Round 10, 2014 at Spotless Stadium, but for all-round excellence, against first-class opposition, I reckon nothing tops Round 15, 2018 v Sydney as his best-ever performance in AFL ranks.
VIDEO: Riewoldt "We showed a bit of grit"
Every time the ball was kicked into Richmond’s forward-50 area, Riewoldt looked like marking it. And, so often when the Swans looked threatening, it was Riewoldt who stepped up to produce something special for the Tigers to stop them in their tracks.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, in his post-match press conference, paid a huge tribute to Riewoldt for the mighty role he played in the Tigers’ convincing 26-point win.
“I thought he was fantastic,” Hardwick said.
“He’s been such a solid contributor for us this year without probably getting the plaudits of the outside world, but that game, I think, was as good a game as I’ve seen him play.
“His ability to mark the ball was special, it was back.”
Riewoldt agreed in a post-game interview that it was particularly pleasing to regain his marking touch.
“It’s obviously great to play well. I really like playing well for the side and playing my role,” Riewoldt told 3AW.
“I probably haven’t been marking the ball as well as what I would have liked for the year, but it’s been about the contest work for me . . . I got on the end of a few tonight, clunked them.
“It’s always a good feeling when you probably get into that sweet spot, I reckon, where you feel like you can fly at everything and you’re able to hold on to a few . . .
“They’re (Sydney) probably, as most defences are, a lot taller than we are. So a bit of the onus goes on to me to try to get to as many aerial contests as possible.
“I’m really helped out with guys like Josh Caddy, who plays above his height, and all the young guys that play above their heights.
“We just want to try and get the ball on the ground.
“I obviously caught a few tonight, which is always great, but the more we can get the ball on the ground the better it is for us going forward. And our small forwards can either get the ball or put the pressure on.”
