Star Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt has averaged just short of 65 goals per season in the five years that Damien Hardwick has been coaching the Tigers.
He’s won two Coleman Medals, a Jack Dyer Medal and All-Australian selection during that time, establishing himself as one of the premier key forwards of the competition.
Hardwick, however, is convinced Riewoldt is capable of taking his game to an even higher level in 2015, on the back of the best pre-season preparation he has had.
Sign up as a Richmond member for the 2015 season
“It’s the first time he hasn’t had any form of operation over the course of the summer. He’s in as good a physical nick as I’ve seen him,” Hardwick said.
“I think he’s going to have an outstanding year.
“He’s moving freely and he’s destroying our defenders at the moment . . . We’ve just got to make sure we deliver the ball to him and he’ll be a very good player for us.
“His body shape has significantly improved and we’re really excited with what he’s going to deliver this year.”
Pick your Best 22 and win a 2015 team-signed guernsey
Hardwick emphasised that Riewoldt’s role up forward didn’t merely revolve around scoring goals.
“We know he’s going to get goals – the good thing is we also know defensively he’s going to contribute as well,” Hardwick said.
“His all-round game has improved year in, year out, so we’re looking forward to that trend continuing this year.”
Riewoldt has been included in Richmond’s squad for his first game in the AFL’s pre-season series this year, against Port Adelaide at Albury on Saturday.
