Riewoldt 'starting to warm up'Jared Lynch
The Age
May 16, 2012JACK Riewoldt is playing at an ''acceptable'' standard, with the key forward yet to put on his ''kicking boots'' this season, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says.
Riewoldt managed 10 possessions in Saturday's win against Sydney, but still kicked 4.4.
Although he feels his season is starting to warm up, Hardwick said Riewoldt was still off his best.
''He doesn't lose his mojo that often,'' Hardwick said yesterday. ''The good thing about him is he's starting to get some scoreboard recognition.
''[But] overall, he is performing at a standard that is acceptable, it's probably not to the level that we know he can play at. His kicking boots haven't been on this year. I think he's kicked more points than goals, mind you, 'Buddy' [Hawthorn's Lance Franklin] is in the same boat at the moment.
''We have just got to make sure that when he does take his opportunities, he converts them on the scoreboard.''
While Riewoldt hadn't been at his attacking best, Hardwick said he was playing good, defensive footy.
''People are very harsh on him in regards to his output offensively, but defensively and from a contested possession wise, he's actually holding the fort reasonably well.
''Defensively, he's leading our tackles inside 50, he's leading the AFL, I think, in ground ball inside 50s.''
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