We'll give it 'a red-hot crack': Riewoldt
9:34 AM Wed 19 September, 2007
for richmondfc.com.au
EXCITING young Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the Geelong VFL team he will be facing in the grand final this weekend as part of the Coburg Tigers is “a formidable outfit”.
But he reckons the rejuvenated and in-form Tigers’ outfit is just the side for the job.
“This is what the VFL guys and the AFL guys at our club who have been playing VFL have been playing for all season,” Riewoldt said.
“At the moment we are playing some of the best footy we have played all year and blokes are really gelling together over the finals series and we’ll give it a red hot crack.”
It’s no wonder Riewoldt enters the big game with such confidence. After being held goalless in the Tigers’ second qualifying final against Geelong three weeks ago, he bounced back with four-goal bags against Port Melbourne and Williamstown.
“My game has revolved around the back line and the midfield playing well,” he said.
“The delivery I am getting is some of the best delivery I have had all year, so a lot of my success can be credited to a very strong midfield.”
This weekend’s VFL grand final will top off an impressive debut season at Punt Road for the Tasmanian in which he managed to clock up eight AFL games.
The confident 18-year-old says the club’s youthful and enthusiastic environment is one of the major reasons he has been able to successfully make the transition from VFL side Tasmania, where he played last season, to Coburg.
As for his transition from VFL to AFL football, Riewoldt highlights the efforts of assistant coach Jade Rawlings and team mate Matthew Richardson.
“Jade Rawlings and Matthew they have been the two big keys in my ‘coming of age’, as I like to call it, as a footballer.
“Jade has been there for me the last two years and whenever I have needed his help,” Riewoldt said.
“Then, on the ground, there is no better mentor for a tall forward to have than Matthew Richardson.
“He is pretty dirty on me if I do not fly for the ball and just really wants me to get in there and have a crack, and he’s always in my ear about giving it 100 per cent.”
With a VFL grand final just days away Riewoldt says he is eager to finish the year off on a high with Coburg, then quickly turn his attention to a bigger and better season with Richmond next year.
“I really want to build on my start to my career with Richmond next year, and if not play double the amount of games I played this year, play all 22 games and cement my spot in the side,” he said.
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