And Charlie makes it three LAUREN WOOD
June 29, 2010 
Dynasty in the making: Richmond's Jack Riewoldt with younger brother Charlie. Photo: Jason SouthCOULD it be the beginning of a dynasty?
Although his surname features regularly around the dinner tables of football's faithful, Charlie Riewoldt is a relative unknown compared with his brother and cousin.
The brother of Richmond's forward prodigy Jack and cousin of St Kilda superstar Nick will take the field for Tasmania today with the hope of catching the eye of selectors. ''I'm definitely concentrating a lot on my footy right now, hopefully to get picked up [in the draft],'' Charlie said.
In year 12 at Rosny College in Hobart, he has displayed flashes of excellence for the Mariners and local club Clarence. He will turn 18 in September, making him eligible for the 2011 national draft.
At just 184 centimetres, Charlie does not possess the typical build of a key forward like the other Riewoldts, and will need to work on his speed. While he still has a long way to go, he is viewed by many as displaying potential to play AFL.
''He needs to get stronger and fitter, and faster,'' joked brother Jack, himself a forward for Tasmania in 2006. Their father Chris and middle brother Harry also played at state level.
''I definitely need to get stronger,'' agreed Charlie.
Added Jack: ''It's just great that both of us are doing what we love and he's working to achieve his goals.''
After an interrupted preseason, Charlie is hoping to continue his good form in the under-18 championships this week. He endured a knee reconstruction last year and suffered a mild hip flexor injury earlier this season.
''Coming back from the knee this year has been a bit of a struggle,'' he said. ''I'm starting to hit a bit of form now.''
For Charlie, it seems that the AFL experience of brother Jack and cousin Nick has been immeasurable in his development. He has been influenced by Jack to the degree that he now barracks for Richmond after stints supporting St Kilda ''because of Nick'' and Adelaide ''because they were winning premierships''.
''We're a pretty close family,'' he said. ''Jack has been a mentor to me … playing in the same sort of position, I try to base myself around him, and Nick as well, obviously, with all of us being forwards.''
Being significantly smaller than his cousin and brother, Charlie is not thought to have key-position potential. But he has inherent football smarts and a few more ''growing years'' to come.
Today's match against NSW/ACT has been much anticipated by the teenager. ''Everyone's very excited at the opportunity to win a championship.''
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/and-charlie-makes-it-three-20100628-zf4o.html
