Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says Tigers working hard to avoid complacencyJay Clark
Herald-Sun
January 16, 2015SPEARHEAD Jack Riewoldt says Richmond’s leaders are having a greater presence this preseason as they try to dodge complacency that hobbled the team last year.
The Tigers made a spluttering start to last season, with ruckman Ivan Maric blaming “poor training standards” and attitudes for their slide to 3-10 midway through the year.
Maric, who was traded from Adelaide at the end of 2011, was rewarded for his growing influence at Punt Rd when he was named joint vice-captain alongside Brett Deledio last month.
Speaking at a BetEasy promotion yesterday, Riewoldt said Maric was one of a number of senior Richmond players helping maintain a high training intensity this summer.
“I know that there is a lot of guys at the football club, especially in the leadership group, that are having more of a presence now, and are really being strong characters and strong leaders around our football group,” Riewoldt said.
“So it’s exciting times for that leadership group and they really are getting hold of the football club and driving it in the direction they want to go.”
The Tigers were hobbled by key injuries to Maric, Deledio and Alex Rance in the early part of last season, but have been largely unimpeded this summer.
Midfielder Reece Conca has been slowed by one week after undergoing surgery on a knee problem.
Riewoldt said the team were hit hard by key injuries early last year, before a late-season revival helped secure nine-straight wins and an unlikely finals berth.
“Our season last year it’s been well documented that we started very poorly,” he said.
“But we were able to come home strongly and I suppose, the main reason behind that is getting back Ivan Maric, Brett Deledio and Alex Rance, who we missed at the start of season 2014.”
Riewoldt said Rance was another who had stood out so far this preseason after a breakthrough 2014.
“Alex got what he deserved last year in terms of All-Australian honours, he finished very high (equal 7th) in the B and F,” he said.
“He is held in very high regard in our football club and he would be one of the top-two trainers in every session, the way he pushes himself, how professional he is.
“He is backing it up. From what I’ve seen in the preseason this year he is ready to take another step, so it is exciting times for him.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-forward-jack-riewoldt-says-tigers-working-hard-to-avoid-complacency/story-fndv8t7m-1227186211774
