Young talent time exciting for RiewoldtThe Advocate
(Fairfax Tasmania)
Feb 10, 2017“What we do lack in experience we are making up with tenacity and ability,’’
It’s a young forward-line that Jack Riewoldt leads at Richmond, but what they lack in experience they make up for in excitement.
While debate has raged about the official leadership capacities of Tasmania’s Coleman Medal winning Tiger, the 28-year-old from Clarence is happy to reveal the enjoyment he receives from helping guide youngsters like Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton.
“What we do lack in experience we are making up with tenacity and ability,’’ he told Fairfax Media.
“Although I am judged on how I perform, I really judge myself more on how the group performs and how I can make them the best they can be.
“It has been something I have really enjoyed, being able to mentor some of our younger kids and our indigenous kids who have come from more remote places, and I am trying to really involve myself in their careers.”
He admits the balance in managing his own output and guiding these youngsters was challenging, but rewarding.
The youth will need to play their part as the Tigers look to bounce back after falling to missing out on September last season.
“It was bitterly disappointing as we set ourselves up to really make a stamp on the competition after three finals series,’’ Riewoldt said.
”We played some really poor footy and some really un-Richmond footy and the brand of football we have become known as in the AFL, and unfortunately we missed the boat and fell behind.
“The injection of the fresh faces and some hard-looking self image stuff from senior people in the footy club and has ensured that everyone has sort of looked within themselves.
“We certainly owned what we did, but a sight of a good side is how we bounce back and that is on the field, off the field and wherever we can.”
Seeing the Western Bulldogs achieve their football fairytale displayed the closeness of the competition.
“Deep down you see a side like the Bulldogs who have broken a premiership drought and you realise we are in a similar situation like a few other clubs (Richmond’s last premiership was in 1980).
“Unfortunately our really big fan base hasn’t seen the success they would like or deserve to see, so we need to make sure we can set ourselves to have the best crack going into the new season.”
His personal aims for 2017 will be to continue a consistent output (last season he averaged 14.4 touches, 6.4 marks and kicked 48.34) but after 202 games he knows the end is closer than the beginning.
“You do look further and further into the future and what it does hold for you and certainly some reflection on your goals and what you expect out of your career and post-career.
“But in a business like AFL they do change week to week. It is an interesting one to sit back and reflect on.”
http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/4444181/young-talent-time-exciting-for-riewoldt/
