I couldn't find the web link to this article either so I scanned it ....
Jack jumping for crack at Tiger hotspot
By Jay Clark
Sunday Herald-Sun 15 MAR 2009, Page S13
JACK Riewoldt wants to defy football history this season.
History gives the Richmond youngster little, if any chance of successfully holding down centre half-forward all year.
Only a special few have made a considerable impact in the toughest position on the ground in only their third AFL season.
But, if the Tigers are going to deliver on their burning finals ambition, then Riewoldt knows he has to play a key role.
Not that it worries him.
The 26-gamer has relished the challenge, fast-tracking his development and building a bigger engine to cover the ground required of the club's chief forward target.
Not satisfied with filling a gap, the eager Tiger has set himself high expectations and said he was ready and able to become a match-winner.
"I want to be kicking the winning goal and taking the winning mark and being involved in the winning play,'' Riewoldt said.
"They are the situations I want to put myself in to make it as a top-line AFL player.
"It (centre half-forward) is one of those positions where you can really impact on games and I think I showed last year I have the ability to turn games, although I probably only showed it in a couple of quarters.
"But I think this is going to be the year where I can string a few of those good quarters together and turn them into good, strong games where I can really have a good impact.''
Lofty goals, but insiders at Richmond say everything they've seen of Riewoldt in the past 12 months suggests their up-and-comer is on track for a break-out campaign.
The spring-heeled redhead played 18 of the last 19 matches last season, showing everyone his capabilities with a truly stunning five-goal haul against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in Round 15.
In all, he's averaged one goal, one score assist and one contested mark, and laid the equal most tackles of any Tiger in the forward arc last season.
Not bad for someone, especially a key forward, still in his footballing infancy.
Craving more responsibility, Riewoldt's main challenge will come in the form of standing bigger, stronger and more experienced defenders every week.
Listed at 194cm (1cm taller than superstar cousin Nick) and 87kg, the likable Tasmanian junior is, admittedly, still a bit of a lightweight in the key forward stakes.
But to compensate, the goalkicker has improved his endurance over summer in a bid to out-run and out-smart, rather than out-muscle, his bulkier opponents.
"I'm obviously not the biggest bloke going around body-wise, but I think I make up for what I lack in that area with footy smarts,'' he said.
"Now I'm in my third season, the midfielders and Richmond need Riewoldt to stand up, and finish in the top-half of its best and fairest, a task not beyond him.
Coach Terry Wallace has already invested faith in Riewoldt, giving his young charge the nod to start centre half-forward against Carlton, in front of a bumper crowd at the MCG, to open the season.
"I think that (is) where I will start and that's where Terry said he wants me to start,'' Riewoldt said.
"Speaking to him and (assistant coach) Brian Royal, that's where they want me to play most of the year.''
Vice-captain Nathan Foley said the former Tassie junior was brimming with confidence through the pre-season.
"Jack is a real leader around the club and he plays like that on the field,'' Foley said.
"He presents up and is a great target. For his age, his knowledge of the game is quite high.
"He's had a great pre-season and his form in the first couple of games reflects that, he is working really hard.''
While his goalkicking let him down against Collingwood, bagging 0.3, Riewoldt looked to have an increased presence, applying himself with vigour and purpose at each contest.
Importantly, a lot of his grabs stuck, giving the Richmond forward line, which is littered with smaller, roving targets such as Mitch Morton, Nathan Brown and Ben Cousins, vital structure.
THAT'S not forgetting Matthew Richardson, who will spend more time up field pursuing his transformation to a floating midfielder.
Taking the forward reins from arguably the most-loved figure in yellow and black cannot be easy, but Riewoldt isn't concerned by the lengthy shadow Richardson casts.
Instead, the 13th pick in the 2006 national draft is inspired by his teammate's feats, and wants to win for him.
"We know Richo's not going to be around forever and someone needs to step up into his shoes and that's why I'm taking more responsibility in the forward line,'' he said.
"He sets such a great benchmark with his work ethic for all the players at the club, and I think it has improved us immensely as a group watching him gut-run, because you feel like you're letting him down when you don't do the same.
"He has been here a long time and not had a lot of success, and we are all in it for ourselves, but for the big guy it would be nice to help him out.''
