Riewoldt finally ready to resume Greg Denham
The Australian
March 07, 2011LAST year's Coleman medallist and Richmond best and fairest winner, Jack Riewoldt, is scheduled to make his 2011 debut this week in a practice match against Adelaide.
The Tigers play the Crows in a trial game at Princes Park on Friday afternoon and Riewoldt is almost certain to have his first serious hit-out in the pre-season after he injured himself at training almost a fortnight ago.
Riewoldt, who booted 78 goals last season to be the Tigers' highest season scorer since Matthew Richardson's 91 in 1996, received minor bone bruising to his knee in the training incident.
Richmond said he was close to playing in Friday night's practice match against Hawthorn in Shepparton, but was not named as a precaution despite joining in full training last week.
The Tigers play Carlton in the opening round of the season proper at the MCG on March 24 and the Blues may need to find other options for Riewoldt because the AFL match review panel will today investigate an incident last week involving his likely opponent, Carlton full-back Michael Jamison.
Jamison applied a late shepherd on Adelaide's Ricky Henderson in last Friday's practice match at Princes Park which resulted in the Crows forward being knocked out before being carried from the ground on a stretcher.
The incident was captured by television cameras.
Adelaide yesterday reported that Henderson received concussion but remained on target to play in the opening round of the premiership season.
Tigers captain Chris Newman is also expected to play for the first time this season following hamstring problems, while Brett Deledio is scheduled to play a full game against the Crows.
The dual best and fairest winner played half a game last Friday night against the Hawks after overcoming a heel injury.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/riewoldt-finally-ready-to-resume/story-e6frg7mf-1226016762863
