Tigers in hunt for new gun
I think everyone’s really excited about next Thursday night rolling around — JACK RIEWOLDT
RICHMOND vice-captain Jack Riewoldt says he is determined to help the club find another key forward to play alongside him this year.
The Tigers are likely to go into Round 1 with a similar attack to last season, where Riewoldt was the sole key tall.
But the club has some young key forwards waiting in the wings who have had exposure during the JLT Community Series, including the 193cm rookie-listed Callum Moore, who caught the eye against North Melbourne last week by kicking 2.1.
“I’m really excited about Cal and we’ve also got Callum Coleman-Jones, who’s another key forward for us, Noah Balta, Marbior Chol,” Riewoldt said.
“There’s some really exciting young key forwards and it’s become a real passion of mine to help get these guys to the next level and hopefully they can all play some sort of role this year.”
Riewoldt said it felt like Christmas waiting for the season to start as the reigning premier prepares to tackle Carlton in the season opener in front of an expected crowd of 90,000 at the MCG next Thursday.
“I need a little advent calendar there to have a little choc- olate every day we get closer to Round 1,” he said. “You’ve just got to go out in Melbourne or anywhere to understand the buzz that the AFL season, on the eve of it, creates. We’ve had a really great AFLW season and that’s getting to the pointy end as well, and the tantalising aspects of JLT and AFLX, and I think everyone’s really excited about next Thursday night rolling around.” JOEL Selwood says Gary Ablett must still prove his recovery from a hamstring strain but he’s confident he will be fit for Round 1.
Selwood is thrilled to be reunited with his great mate as the Cats prepare for a huge Round 1 clash with improving Melbourne. Patrick Dangerfield looks a remote hope, but Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering says the dual Brownlow medallist will play.
The next three training sessions — starting today — loom as critical for Ablett to show he is over a mild hamstring strain.
“I am confident he will play but he does have work to do,” Selwood said of Ablett.
“Tomorrow will be a big session for him and next week Wednesday and Friday are big sessions. We think we are ready for Round 1.”