Riewoldt leading from the front againAAP, Herald Sun
Feb 7, 2017A RETURN to Richmond’s leadership group could be in the offing for Jack Riewoldt after an impressive pre-season from the forward.
Riewoldt hasn’t held an official position at Punt Rd since he was omitted from the leadership group before the 2014 season, but forwards’ assistant coach Justin Leppitsch has been impressed with Riewoldt’s influence over the summer.
“He’s been a great leader for us, Jack, he really drives the whole thing,” Leppitsch, who is back at the Tigers after coaching the Brisbane Lions, told the club’s website.
“Particularly this year, he’s taken a bigger role again because he’s the most experienced (forward) and he’s a really smart footballer.
“He’s really well respected and an important player for us and a really important leader down there.”
Richmond lost a key on-field general with vice-captain Brett Deledio’s departure for Greater Western Sydney in last year’s trade period.
Veteran ruckman Ivan Maric also looks likely to drop out of the leadership group after just three games last year, leaving Shane Edwards and Alex Rance as the only deputies to skipper Trent Cotchin.
Riewoldt, a Jack Dyer medallist and seven-time leading goalkicker, has said he would be open to a leadership return.
“I’m putting my hand up to lead in whatever capacity the club needs me to do,” he told SEN.
“Whether that’s in an official capacity (or not), I’m one of the oldest players now, I’ll need to set the standards, and I feel like I set the standards pretty high.”
Richmond is in the process of finalising its on-field leadership structure.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/jack-riewoldt-is-leading-from-the-front-during-richmond-preseason/news-story/0e86a21513be93daf075a6c976a5fa80
