Jack Riewoldt Biography

The judges for the 2024 Norm Smith Medal have been revealed as Jack Riewoldt (Fox, Chair), Riley Beveridge (AFL.com.au), Shaun Burgoyne (Channel Seven), Anna Harrington (AAP) and Rory Sloane (2024 Retiring Great, Adelaide Crows).

The new Tasmanian AFL club engages former Richmond star and Hobart-born Jack Riewoldt to lead a community consultation project dubbed 'The Fabric'.

“The Fabric will represent each and every strand that makes up the rich tapestry of our club, who we are, what we stand for, what we believe in, our history and our collective vision for the future," Riewoldt said.

"I am excited to be able to play a role in ensuring that the culture of this club is one where every Tasmanian has a sense of connection, belonging and pride."

Jack Riewoldt will retire at the end of the 2023 season after choosing not to play on in 2024.

Jack Riewoldt will play on in 2023 after signing a one-year contract extension with the Tigers.

"I'm playing my role, and I'm excited to play, and I'm also really excited about what the future of the football club looks like. And the imminent future, which I'll be involved in, we feel will be a successful one," Riewoldt said.

Jack Riewoldt is seen having a few heated words to Kozzy Pickett in the final term of the Tigers' clash against Melbourne.

After Pickett kicked a goal from an off-the-ball free kick, the 19-year-old pointed to the scoreboard to make sure Rhyan Mansell and other Tigers knew all about it. Triple premiership hero Riewoldt made a beeline for Pickett after the incident, and he revealed what he said to the young forward.

"He's probably one of my favourite players to watch play ... I just said you're probably better than that," he said on Fox Footy.

"Just enjoy playing footy. But some guys go about it differently."

The AFL has announced 12 new life members will be inducted at its annual general meeting in March.

Among them are Jack Riewoldt, Shannon Hurn, Ken Hinkley, Travis Boak, Tom Hawkins, Marc Murphy, Harry Taylor, Justin Westhoff, and Matthew Clarke.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate, Nick Riewoldt reveals he will be streaming his own NAB AFL Auskick program for parents and kids to replicate.

"It's a tough time for everyone at the moment, including our kids," Riewoldt said in a post on Instagram.

"They're missing out on a lot. They shouldn't have to miss out on their AFL footy (parents are missing getting a break too).

"So we're going to bring footy to all the AFL Auskick boys and girls out there in their homes. Stay tuned! And sorry Jack Riewoldt, the boys didn't want to be you."

Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will be the only two official leaders at Richmond in 2020 as captain and vice-captain respectively.

"Trent is an incredible person, player and leader, and we?re thrilled that he will again lead our AFL playing group in 2020," Richmond's general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone said.

"Jack has been a wonderful leader and support to Trent in recent years, and we look forward to that continuing this season.

"Trent and Jack will be supported by a group of senior players who are also exceptional leaders in their own right, and who continue to build the Club?s culture and environment."

Jack Riewoldt says big-name recruit Tom Lynch has fitted in seamlessly in the Tigers' forward line as they prepare for their first final together.

"We would have loved to have played some more football together, and that's just part of the AFL, injuries and whatnot, but I feel like we've worked well," Riewoldt said.

"We're in a different position, because this football club hasn't had a second key forward for a long time, and it's really exciting.

"Credit to Tom, he's fitted in seamlessly and provided that second – no, first – key role. Really, I'm the second key forward now and I've really enjoyed it."

Having spent 10 weeks on the sidelines, Jack Riewoldt is preparing to play in his first game since Anzac Day Eve when Richmond takes on GWS this Sunday.

"I don't know whether I'm 100 per cent. I don't think I would get back to 100 per cent again for a while. There's still an element of rehab," he said.

"But I've got to a point now where I feel comfortable and the medical staff feel comfortable for me to go out and play."

Jack Riewoldt is set for up to eight weeks on the sidelines after scans confirmed suffered a high-grade PCL tear after landing awkwardly in a marking contest during the club's win over Melbourne.

Jack Riewoldt will miss up to four weeks after injuring his wrist during Richmond's loss to Collingwood.

Nick Riewoldt says recreational drug use among AFL players has gotten out of hand.

Under the AFL's illicit drug policy, a player is not suspended until he records three 'strikes', and until then no one at his club is informed other than the team doctor.

"If they're serious about getting the number closer to zero, remove the safety net," Riewoldt said.

"If players do have a legitimate substance abuse issue, then getting a suspension on their first detection is probably the least of their worries. They need to get their life together.

"The blokes that are just doing it because they can, because the system allows them to get away with it, you're telling me if they're getting a four-week ban for first detection they're going to do it?"

Young children of all ages are going to go home and practice the "Patty Cripps punt kick," according to victorious AFLX Team Rampage captain Jack Riewoldt.

Cripps' place kick, with Riewoldt acting as holder, was one of the highlights of the night, and the Riewoldt believes the fact players were able to be bold, and try things they wouldn't normally, signalled the one-night event was a resounding success.

"This is about expressing yourself as a player. Whether that's walking in in completely different clothes to ones that you would usually wear, to the way people played the game and what they brought out of their own kit bag," Riewoldt said.

Jack Riewoldt adds a second Jack Dyer Medal to his trophy cabinet after capping off his 2018 All Australian year by winning Richmond's best and fairest.

Riewoldt polled 81 votes, edging out midfielder Kane Lambert (68) and Dustin Martin (66) to win the count, held at a sold-out Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

Jack Riewoldt becomes the first Richmond player to claim three Coleman Medals after North Melbourne's Ben Brown couldn't overtake the Tigers spearhead in the last game of the 2018 regular season.

Brown, who led the race for the Coleman for much of the year, needed to boot seven goals in the Kangaroos' round 23 clash with St Kilda to draw level with Riewoldt.

But he could only manage three to finish second.

Jack Riewoldt charges into Coleman Medal contention with his sensational 10-goal haul against Gold Coast putting him at the top of the goal kicking table with 58 for the year.

Jack Riewoldt signs a two-year contract extension with Richmond to remain at the club until the end of 2021.

"Jack is a wonderful leader, selfless team player and great clubman, and it's fantastic that he'll continue his journey here at Richmond," Richmond football manager Neil Balme said.

"Jack's a talented player and continues to evolve his game, and also spends time supporting his teammates in their own development, and we love that team-first nature about him."

The AFL Tribunal dismisses a challenge by Jake Carlisle, upholding a two-match ban on the key defender for striking Jack Riewoldt.

Jack Riewoldt is confident of taking on St Kilda this week, only six days after coughing up blood from a heavy collision with West Coast's Liam Duggan in the third quarter of the Tigers' 47-point defeat.

"It just flushed me in a bit of a bad spot," Riewoldt said about the clash with Duggan.

"I had a mouthful of blood, spat it out and then went to the bench.

"The next half an hour I was spitting up a little bit of bloody every now and again. I was never in pain."

Jack Riewoldt admits he doubted whether he would ever reach a Grand Final as he prepares to help the Tigers land their first premiership since 1980.

"It's been 12 years and I've never played in a Grand Final before. I'll be honest, at the end of last year, there were points when I thought (about if) I would ever to represent this great football club on the greatest stage that we can play on," Riewoldt said.

"It's a different feeling and one that I've never been involved in at AFL level."

Jack Riewoldt says he is desperate to return to the side after spending two weeks on the sidelines with an eye injury.

"There is certainly an amount of frustration … I've only missed three games of footy in 11 years at both VFL and AFL level and to miss the last two with a poked eye has been hard to deal with," he said.

"But I'm really looking forward to getting out there and one training with the guys again and hopefully getting back out and playing again."

Jack Riewoldt sought a third opinion on his injured right eye in an unsuccessful bid to be declared fit for this week's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.

"It's a pretty delicate area of the body that we're really wanting to make sure we look after," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"Not only went to one doctor, he went to two, then he was looking for a third to try and get the response he was after.

"That's how desperate he was to play. He's an important player for us, so we didn't want to risk any further damage."

Jack Riewoldt has revealed the terrifying moment when he thought his eye had popped out of its socket at training.

Riewoldt missed Richmond's clash against the Gold Coast Suns because of the freak accident and remains in doubt for this weekend’s blockbuster against Hawthorn.

“It was like the last drill on Thursday night training and I went to pick up the ball from the ground when someone came from the other direction, missed the ball and poked me straight in the eye,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“My first initial thought was that my eye had popped out.

“So I put my hand over my eye, looked down and had a pool of blood in my palm and half expected to see my eye sitting in my hand.”

Alex Rance admits he was wrong about teammate Richmond Jack Riewoldt, declaring the star forward is one of the best leaders he's ever seen at the Tigers.

"I can definitely resonate with the frustrations and things that he went through over the past few years, but I can safely say that I was wrong about a lot of my judgements on his leadership over the past few years," Rance said.

"This year he's been arguably one of the best leaders we've ever had at our football club. We've got a really strong three in Jack, Trent [Cotchin] and myself. We are really trying to steer the ship in the right direction and get the most out of everyone else.

"Jack's been one of the main drivers towards that and I couldn't be more proud of him."

Jack Riewoldt says the Match Review Panel places too much emphasis on medical reports, leading to similar on-field actions being punished inconsistently.

"Some people's jaws are stronger than (other) people's jaws. It's a really grey area," Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

"Some people get injured through one action, and then the next week you have the exact same action and come up with a different consequence."

Newly appointed Richmond vice-captain Jack Riewoldt believes his three-year absence from the club's leadership group has helped him become a better leader.

"I'm extremely grateful for the feedback that I received over that period when I was outside the leadership group," Riewoldt said.

"It's not only turned me into a better leader but also a better footballer and a better clubman."

Jack Riewoldt says he wants a return to a leadership role at the Tigers.

"I'm putting my hand up to lead in whatever capacity the club needs me to do," Riewoldt 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."

A snapped titanium plate in Jack Riewoldt's little finger forced him back into surgery just three weeks after his initial operation.

Riewoldt snapped the finger in his right hand after it was stepped on in his first ever game for the club - a pre-season match against VFL side Northern Bullants (now Northern Blues). It has plagued him since and he was forced to receive medical clearance to play on at least one occasion this season.

"I had my right little finger fused and then unfortunately I snapped the titanium plate – the back of it – three weeks in, and had to go back in on a Monday night and have it done again," Riewoldt told Melbourne radio station RSN.

"It's a thing that's held me back and been the biggest pain in my bum over this break."

Jack Riewoldt is disappointed he's being floated by outsiders as a trade option.

"I've got three years left to go on my contract and I'm disappointed that people are making that conversation about me," he told Fox Footy.

"At the moment it's just click bait. Back in the good old days … they (journalists) were actually reporting the story, rather than lighting the fire under it and seeing if there's any smoke there.

"You take it with a grain of salt and move on. As far as I'm concerned it's yellow and black all the way."

On the eve of his 200th game, Jack Riewoldt admits there have been some regrettable moments throughout his career, but that he is happy with how it has panned out.

"There's been some stuff there that I wish hadn't happened, but it's all about the learning process through it," Riewoldt said.

"I've matured into the person I am today through those things. Granted, I would like to take a few of them back that have probably put the club in a position that they didn't deserve to be in.

"When it comes down to it, they've all been pretty harmless. I haven't done anything too bad."

Tomas Bugg says he cringes every time he watches vision of himself pushing injured Tiger Jack Riewoldt in Melbourne's night game against Richmond at the MCG.

Bugg felt compelled to express his regret for his part in the incident, having accepted that he crossed the line in the Demons' 33-point win.

"When I watch back now, I'm definitely remorseful," Bugg said.

"It actually makes me cringe when I watch the footage. At the time I didn't really think of the consequences and what would come from it."

The Match Review Panel handed Bugg a $1000 fine for making contact with an injured player after vision surfaced of him pushing a clearly distressed Riewoldt while he was in the hands of trainers early in the final term.

Bugg texted Riewoldt after the match to apologise for the way he had conducted himself and the tough onballer conceded he allowed himself to get caught up in the heat of the moment.

"It (the MRP sanction) was probably a valid punishment. It's totally against the rules and going forward it should be treated exactly the same way," Bugg said.

"You shouldn't be allowed to make contact with an injured player because the main priority is trying to prevent injuries in our game."

Jack Riewoldt says he doesn't need to be in the Tigers' leadership group to have the respect of his peers and he will continue to be an unofficial leader at Tigerland.

"Wve got a really strong leadership group (and) my role is to continue to lead the forward line and lead outside of that group, trying to help relay the messages the leaders want to put onto the group," he said.

"I don't think having a title or not having a title pigeon holes you as having that respect from your peers … certainly the group values my leadership and I value guys who aren't in the leadership as well."

Nathan Broad says playing against Richmond teammate Jack Riewoldt at training has been a great learning experience.

"I like to take the best player if possible to better myself," Broad said.

"Playing on Jack, he tells you where he doesn't like defenders to stand and what makes life difficult for a forward, which helps a lot.

"He's a very good forward, so if you get the chance to play on him you can learn a lot of things."

Jack Riewoldt will undergo minor shoulder surgery that isn't expected to impact on his pre-season.

Riewoldt has been scheduled for a joint clean out but should be able to resume running in a matter of weeks.

The surgery will mean Riewoldt will not be available for next month's International Rules Test in Ireland.

Riewoldt expressed disappointment at not being able to take part in the Ireland tour, after a season where the Riewoldt family rallied together after the passing of Nick's sister Madeleine in February from aplastic anaemia.

"I'm having shoulder surgery tomorrow so I won't be playing in the International Rules this year, which is unfortunate because I was looking forward to playing with Nick," Riewoldt said.

"Hopefully next year we can both sneak into the side and play a game of footy together.

"It would mean a lot to our families and it would be very, very special for MRV [Maddie Riewoldt's Vision] as well so hopefully next year we can do that one."

Jack Riewoldt says his playing days as "a bear in the square" are all but finished, with the Richmond star eager to see where his evolution as a footballer takes him.

Riewoldt has embraced a move up the ground this season, averaging career-high disposals (13.7) and inside 50s (3.4).

With his sparkling form helping the Tigers push for a top-four berth, the 26-year-old can't envisage a return to being a stay-at-home forward.

"I think, unfortunately, if there aren't any rule changes around it we won't see too many 'bear in the square' types any more," Riewoldt said.

"And for me, I'm not really that type of player now that can play in the goalsquare.

"You've got to be the sort of player that's big and strong, and for me moving up the ground has really evolved my game.

"I think it's made me more of a complete player."

Jack Riewoldt says his omission from Richmond's leadership group last year has allowed him to evolve as both a person and a leader of the club.

"I think being out of the leadership group has probably made me evolve more as a person and as a leader," Riewoldt said.

"Being a captain or a leader of a footy club can be certainly time consuming for guys, with meetings and being the face and at the front of the playing group.

"Not having that part of it gives you time to develop better bonds with the younger players and that middle group.

"It also allows you to push the guys above that are leading the football club and give them a different perspective on things, and continue to push them to become the best leaders they can be as well."

Jack Riewoldt signs a three-year contract extension to remain at Richmond until the end of 2019.

The Tigers moved early to secure the in-form goalkicker, who was due to come out of contract at the end of next season and would have been a restricted free agent.

"I'm absolutely rapt that the club came to me and showed interest in me signing an extension," Riewoldt said.

"The most important thing for me is to get this stuff over and done with. I jumped at it pretty quickly."

Jack Riewoldt says he is enjoying one of his best pre-seasons after not requiring post-season surgery for the first time in five years.

"This is the first time in five years that I've actually started pre-season with the main group on day one and I haven't missed a beat since then," Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt says he has had to develop his running capacity due to the demands of the modern game.

"If I want to continue to be a valued member of the football club, then I've got to push up the ground, I've got to defend and that's the same with all of our forwards and our backs and our mids," Riewoldt said.

"You can't be the guy that's just resting in the goalsquare anymore."

Jack Riewoldt thinks criticism of Tiger teammate Ty Vickery from Tiger fans and the wider football community is too harsh.

"Inside our four walls, he is a very valued member and he provides defensively and offensively, as we saw on the weekend," Riewoldt said.

"I think Tyrone is dealt very harshly by our fans and the wider football community."

Just days after publicly questioning Richmond's game-plan, Jack Riewoldt kicks 11 goals for the Tigers against GWS.

"I was pretty devastated with how it came across, I let the coach down, I let the side down," Riewoldt said.

"Today I just came in with the mindset of just trying to repay the faith back in (Hardwick) and the boys and the footy club.

"I am just happy with the performance, really really happy that the football club has the four points and looking forward to playing Essendon at Dreamtime next week."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Jack Riewoldt was wrong to publicly criticize the team's game-plan.

"We caught up with him this morning and removed his foot from his mouth and my foot from his arse," Hardwick said.

"Obviously we were pretty disappointed with his comments. We talk about being a united footy club and Jack went outside those boundaries.

"Unfortunately he's learned a harsh lesson from that."

Jack Riewoldt says the Tigers have erred in attempting to replicate Hawthorn's game-plan.

"We probably tried to copy Hawthorn a little bit too much with our kicking style," Riewoldt said.

"We probably need to rely a little bit more on natural progression, which I think we'll get back to, actually I know we'll get back to.

"You try new things and unfortunately you learn from your mistakes. We've learned from it as a playing group, as a coaching group and as a football club as a whole."

Damian Hardwick says he is tired of questions being asked about Jack Riewoldt being played further up the ground.

"I tell you what I'll do. I'll name him full forward in the paper so it makes everyone happy," Hardwick said.

"Unfortunately these days the way the game's played there's six forwards. Where those guys fall is generally where they are.

"We don't chain them to the goalsquare any more. Jack plays deep. He's leading the marks inside-50 in the competition."

Jack Riewoldt announces a self-imposed ban on the media.

"I've taken it upon myself to make my own decision that if I can't be portrayed the way I want to be portrayed, then, I'll give it a miss," Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt says he was unhappy that the recent media focus was on his omission from the leadership group and not the elevation of teammate Troy Chaplin.

"He didn't get the recognition he deserved from the media and from the outside world, so that was the thing that sort of cut me a little bit deep," he said.

"We've got five very, very capable blokes there and they are going to lead this club to some really big success this year."

Jack Riewoldt and Dylan Grimes are dropped from Richmond's 2014 leadership group to be headed by Trent Cotchin.

Brett Deledio is again vice-captain with ruckman Ivan Maric and 2013 best and fairest winner Dan Jackson also voted into the group.

Former Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin is the new addition in his second season as a Tiger.

"Given the improved maturity of the team, we believe a five-player leadership group is a sufficient representation of the playing list," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"We are proud of the way Trent embraced the captaincy in his first year, and we're confident he will continue to be a strong leader on and off the field, along with Brett as vice-captain."

Richmond insist that Jack Riewoldt has done nothing wrong despite being dropped from the Tigers' leadership group.

"It certainly doesn't mean that Jack's done anything wrong, and it doesn't mean we don't respect what Jack's about," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson told radio station SEN.

"He will continue to be a leader of this football club, albeit at this point in time without an official title."

Richmond captain Jack Riewoldt says a slimmer and fitter Jack Riewoldt has been a standout on the training track.

"I think he's had a real focus on what he's eating and also his training," Cotchin said.

"He hasn't missed a beat with his rehab program and now he's joining into training.

"He looks fit, he's running with some of our better bigger blokes with their running capacity, so it's exciting - we'll just have to wait and see how he plays."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he plans to move Jack Riewoldt further up the ground in 2014.

"We might look at him more as a traditional centre half forward role, roaming across that area, because he's very clever when he does get the ball," Hardwick said.

"That way he'll probably still kick us 30 or 40 goals as well, but then he'll certainly help set up some also."

Jack Riewoldt has some bone bruising after hyperextending his knee last weekend but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he is confident the forward can play through any discomfort.

"Obviously he's an important player to us, so we won't put him at any risk of further damage," Hardwick said.

"There's a small amount of bone bruising there, which takes a little bit of time to heal. But he's had that previously so he manages to get through it."

Dale Thomas becomes one of the latest AFL players to have his Twitter account hacked.

Thomas' hacked account tweeted: "thanks for the good times pies, decieded (sic) today that im not going to be here next year #futureandbeyond #carnnorrff #oobars".

Jack Riewoldt admits GWS young gun Jeremy Cameron is his favourite player and would love to see him win the Colman Medal.

"I'd like to see Jeremy Cameron win the Coleman this year. He's probably my favourite player at the moment in the competition,'' Riewoldt said.

"The first time I won it in 2010, obviously, it was a great honour. And I think it would do wonders for his career if he could possibly pinch it this year and All-Australian (selection) would set himself up because he's going to be a great player in the future.''

Jack Riewoldt signs new three-year deal with Richmond.

"I genuinely love this football club and all it stands for, and I'm pleased to be part of the journey were on," Riewoldt said.

"I hope to repay the faith shown in me by the club, and I'll continue to give everything I have for the cause."

Jack Riewoldt says he is willing to make personal sacrifices to remain part of Richmond's up and coming squad.

"Obviously over the last two to three years, players' prices have been put up because of the new expansion sides and the salary cap relief they do have," Riewoldt said.

"It's about making those sacrifices as a player and a football club but coming to amicable terms the player and club both think are fair."

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin says he is confident Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin will stay at Richmond as the team builds towards a future of success.

"It's a great place to be, we've got a young group that have been together now for quite some time and we're building towards something," Cotchin said.

"Every player in the AFL would love to be paid as much as they possibly can, but the reality is there's a cap there for that reason. If you want to be part of successful clubs, then sometimes there's a little bit of sacrifice that needs to be made.

"We're all about spending time together, building something and enjoying the whole ride together."

Jack Riewoldt says it is only a matter of time before he signs a new deal with the Tigers.

"We're just trying to sort out the finer details of my contract," Riewoldt said Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

"I'm looking forward to signing a new contract at Richmond and being there hopefully for the rest of my career.

"Hopefully, for the Richmond faithful out there, I can be putting pen to paper soon and we can have some great news."

Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin come out of contract at the end of 2012, but Richmond believes they are well placed to secure their services beyond this year.

"We're confident where we're placed with both Jack and Dustin," Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said.

"Those discussions have been worked through in a professional manner with their representatives and we're very confident they'll be resolved.

"We're confident in the offering. We've got to make sure we guide it by the market and pay the players the market value. We've got the integrity of our own salary cap to be mindful of as well."

Jack Riewoldt says his goal as a player now is team success and to find ways to help his teammates improve.

"Early on in your career, you look to get a game, then you want to have an impact, and then you want to be regarded as a senior player, week in, week out," he said.

"And then it gets to the stage where you haven't had as much [team] success as what you want, and you start to look outside the box a little bit. How can I improve Jake King? How can I improve Tyrone Vickery?"

Jack Riewoldt secures his second Coleman Medal after kicking six goals against Port Adelaide in Richmond's final game for 2012 to take his season tally to 65, ahead of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich and Geelong's Tom Hawkins, both on 62.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers won't go out of their way to help Jack Riewoldt win the Coleman Medal against Port Adelaide in their final regular season game of the season.

"If he wins it, he wins it. It's not something we're worried about," Hardwick said.

"We're just interested in finishing the season on a good note, and getting the four points."

Despite sitting second in the Coleman Medal race, Tiger Jack Riewoldt says he is disappointed with an inconsistent season.

"It's been very inconsistent," Riewoldt said of his season.

"In terms of kicking goals, I've kicked the second most in the competition, but in terms of where I want to be and where the club wants me to be … I wouldn't rate it a failure but it's not up to the standard I've set myself.

Paul Roos says Jack Riewoldt's petulence is hurting the Tigers and must be wearing thin with coach Damien Hardwick.

"Damien Hardwick must be getting sick of it, because I'm sure he would have talked to him about it over and over again," Roos said.

"We know Jack's a competitive kid, but you've got to channel your competitiveness in the right direction (and) there's no doubt he channels it in the wrong direction sometimes. If you're a Richmond fan, you see it far too often."

Matthew Richardson says Jack Riewoldt's body language on the field will always be criticised, but it is making him a leader.

"He has got a very vibrant personality and sometimes people, I believe, have judged him wrongly on that. It's something that when he came into the game as a young player people saw it as a negative, [but] I think it's a huge positive in his game," Richardson said.

"He is a good leader out on the field as well. He does express himself a lot … he's always pointing and directing other teammates where to run. He is a natural forward, he knows how to set up the forward line very well."

Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt has been diagnosed with a ligament strain in his right ankle and will be on light training duties for the next few days.

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt says he is not playing injured despite a slow start to 2012.

"I'm fighting fit. I was just in a bit of a form slump," Riewoldt said.

"I was coming in off a few injuries last year. I thought I was going to walk back in and play some good footy, but it's been a solid slog.

"I've been working hard with the leaders and with the coaching staff on improving my game."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says struggling full-forward Jack Riewoldt, who has only managed six goals in four matches so far this year, is trying too hard and should just relax.

"He can play better. He's just got to get the little things right and the big things will come," Hardwick said.

"I've got no doubt he'll get there. He's just got to relax. Sometimes you can try too hard."

Jack Riewoldt will require up to four post-season operations after playing in 2011 though injury.

"Being on the left, it was his jumping leg, which affected his ability to leap at the ball," Tigers head of football Craig Cameron said.

"But Jack wouldn't want to see the injuries used as an excuse."

Brett Deledio says forward Jack Riewoldt is being unfairly criticised for his form this year.

"He [Riewoldt] is equal in the Coleman, so as much as he's copping it, he's still equal," Deledio said.

"I don't think he's unfit, to be honest. Everyone's got their own little niggling injuries, but Jack won't admit to that and he's doing everything he can to make sure he's playing his role for the side. "

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has admitted last year's Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt is playing sore.

"He's battling like most players in the AFL at the moment, they're all battling injury and Jack's no different," Hardwick said.

"He can still play; he's just tired and sore like the other guys. He just has to battle on."

Richmond's Reece Conca is the round nine NAB rising star as inadvertantly leaked by Jack Riewoldt via twitter.

"Personally I just want to keep the consistent football I've got at the moment and keep developing. I've got to fix a few weaknesses like my kicking for goal," Conca said.

"Got my wish peeps, reece conca rising star r9!!!" Riewoldt tweeted before apologizing for the slip.

"Sorry bout the early hit up on Reece mate, didn't even know what the word #embargo meant until 2 hours ago!" Riewoldt later tweeted.

Reading from a prepared statement, Jack Riewoldt has apologised for his conduct in the Tigers' match on the weekend after he was filmed flipping the bird at the Hawks bench while coming off the ground.

"I would like to apologise to the public for my obscene hand gesture on Saturday night. I am really disappointed personally with what has happened. I know I have let the club down. I've let myself down, I've left my teammates down and most importantly I've let my family down and my close friends," Riewoldt said in a prepared statement.

"I'm pretty shattered about what's happened and feel that it is totally out of my character."

Jack Riewoldt tells Herald Sun journalist Mike Sheahan that his exuberant goal celebrations are just part of his nature.

"I can come across that way because I love to play footy and I love to celebrate. Just generally love the club, the whole thing, and some people can take it the wrong way sometimes," Riewoldt said.

"I'm very team-orientated, I know where I want the club to go. It frustrates you sometimes because you think, 'I'm not like that, I'm not trying to do whatever it is, that's just the way I am'."

Richmond full-forward Jack Riewoldt has been cleared of structural damage after jarring his knee at training.

"It's good news that there's no structural damage or any long-term damage for Jack," Richmond manager of football operations Craig Cameron told 3AW radio.

"The scans have shown no structural damage. We've just got to wait and see how it settles down, but ... from being pretty nervous when the incident first happened we're all pretty comfortable that it's only a one-week issue."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick believes a lighter Jack Riewoldt can do some damage further up the ground in 2011.

"He's down to about 90 (kilos) now. He came in at 93 and probably got a little bit heavy towards the end of last year," Hardwick said.

"With the way the game's going to go this year - he played a lot of game time anyway - but we'd like to see him a bit more up the ground."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt will resume full training after Christmas because of surgery to his left little finger.

"Jack injured the tendon in the little finger on his left hand during the season and, under normal circumstances, would have been operated on as soon as the season was over," Richmond football operations manager Ross Monaghan said.

"But, given he had the opportunity to make the trip to Ireland with the Australian team for the International Rules Series, the surgery was postponed until after that."

Jack Riewoldt has collected his second medal in four days, adding the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond's best and fairest to the Coleman Medal he won for topping the AFL's goalkicking list for 2010.

Richmond sign young guns Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin to long-term deals, making them two of the richest young stars in the AFL.

"The important thing is the players have bought into the plan," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

"It's great to have a plan, but the players must buy in. They can see something we're building. It's an exciting time to be a Richmond supporter. It's been a tough year, but we've laid a reasonably solid foundation going forward."

Besides leading the Coleman medal race with 53 goals so far this season, Jack Riewoldt also has 52 tackles to his name after taking the defensive side of his game to another level.

"He is No.1 in the AFL for tackles inside-50, he's taken the most contested marks, and all his defensive stuff has been rewarded with his offensive stuff and his goals," Richmond's forward coach Danny Daly said.

"But Jack's still got a long way to go, and we keep riding him from week-to-week to make sure that he keeps at that level and keeps improving himself."

Jack Riewoldt is staying level headed despite his hot form and specualtion regarding a new contract, says Richmond assistant coach Justin Leppitsch.

"He's got a great attitude, a great personality," Leppitsch said.

"I think he takes success very well. He more than anyone knows he has to keep grounded and he's done a good job of that."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the plaudits for his 10-goal against the Eagles haul deserve to be shared with his side's midfielders.

"I was just lucky enough to get on the end of a few today. I'm just happy we've had our second win of the year and happy that our game-plan is coming together well," Riewoldt said.

"At the moment, we're really good at backing our key forwards in one-on-one contests. It was really good to get on the end of a few and I was happy that I kicked straight."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick heaps praise on Jack Riewoldt's effort after the key forward kicked a career-high 10 goals against the Eagles.

"Jack Riewoldt had a great individual game," Hardwick said.

"He has been in terrific form - the pleasing thing is our guys are starting to deliver the ball inside 50 a hell of a lot better. Credit to those guys up the ground kicking it to a favoured side and letting Jack use his body, which he does very well."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says his side must keep developing the likes of Ben Griffiths to assist in-form forward Jack Riewoldt who kicked six goals in a 38-point loss to the Saints.

"Our forward line is going to be our achilles heel for the time being. Jack to his credit was outstanding and I thought he had some quality opposition," Hardwick said.

"What we've got to do is develop that forward line so we can get him some help down there - it was an outstanding individual effort but he needs some help down there no doubt."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praises Jack Riewoldt after the young forward kicks a career-high 6 goals against Essendon.

"He's going to be a good player, that kid," Hardwick said after the match.

"He's 21 years of age and he's kicked a number of goals. The most important thing, though, is that he's leading the league in inside-50 tackles, which for us, is an outstanding achievement.

"I've been lucky enough to see a couple of young key forwards going around at Hawthorn and he's right up there at this stage."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the players have seen new coach Damien Hardwick's intensity but he is not as tough as they first thought.

"He's not as hard as everyone thought he was going to be," Riewoldt told

"But he has got that mean streak about him that we've seen a bit of, that intensity.

"We've got a young coaching staff and a new vibrant game plan, which we're all looking forward to putting into place."

Interim coach Jade Rawlings says Jack Riewoldt played his best game against Essendon after the young forward kicked a career-high six goals to earn victory for his side.

"Yes, I think it is and probably the fact it was in a big game as well," Rawlings said when asked if it was Riewoldt's best game.

"I think he's scratched the surface. He kicked five against the Eagles last year, but we were 10 goals up, so he got a few late.

"He can be a genuine key position forward for this footy club."

Jack Riewoldt has a unique boast among his teammates - he is the one Tiger who has played alongside new coach Jade Rawlings.

The 20-year-old forward was a 17-year-old hopeful playing for Tassie Mariners in the VFL when Rawlings, in the twilight of his senior career with the then Mariners' affiliate North Melbourne, came back and played a handful of games in the twos.

"He rides me a bit harder than some others. We're pretty tight," Riewoldt said.

"We're pretty close friends. We've got that balance where he can have a stern word to me or give some words of encouragement."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt says the young Tigers forward line that he is a key part of is coming along well.

"We've got a few new faces down there - Robin Nahas is down there and he's been lively and has had a great input, Tommy Hislop last week played a fantastic game, along with young Tyrone Vickery," Riewoldt said.

"We've got a lot of young faces down there, and Mitch Morton is almost the oldest person in the forward line, so we've got a lot of new guys down there, a lot of exuberance, a lot of youth.

"We're just trying to do our job best for the team - put on defensive pressure and hopefully kick a winning score."

Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt has accepted the match review panel's penalty of a reprimand for striking Eagle Daniel Kerr.

Jack Riewoldt has been charged by the match review panel with striking Eagle Daniel Kerr.

The young Tiger can accept a reprimand and 93.75 demerit points if he pleads guilty to the incident which occurred in the first quarter of Richmond's win.

Matthew Richardson says his injury lay-off gives other key forwards the chance to shine.

"In our forward line at the moment we would be looking to guys like Mitch Morton, Jack Riewoldt, Jay Schulz has been playing well at Coburg in the last few weeks, so you maybe look at Jay coming in and playing forward," Richardson said.

"But you just need heaps of guys kicking goals.

"We've still got Cleve Hughes down at Coburg, and it's a really good opportunity for these young guys.

"If they want to be key-position players, it's a pretty good opportunity for them to put their hand up and show what they can do."