FAMILY GRAND PLAN
BROWN LESS, RIEWOLDT FLY OUT FOR SHOW DOWN
IN sport, timing is everything.
That’s certainly been the case for two former Clarence Roos who travel to Brisbane for this weekend’s AFL Grand Final at the Gabba and return once quarantine measures are lifted.
Chris Riewoldt, father of Tigers full-forward Jack, and Blair Brownless, brother of Cats cult hero Billy, fly out on the same plane.
“It’s ideal. It’s a non-hotspot so to not have to isolate at all is brilliant,” Mr Riewoldt said.
“I was always going to go if they made the final. As soon as the Port game was finished, I was on the net finding a flight.”
Mr Brownless’s pathway to the game was less straightforward but always a certainty.
“Once Geelong won in I was straight on to Billy,” he said. “The conversation with Bill always starts with, ‘I don’t reckon I can get anything.’
“By Sunday ,‘ I might have something, but you’ ll have to pay.’ By Monday, ‘all right, I’ve got a couple of free tickets for you’. “Every year’ s the same .” Mr Riewoldt said Jack, wife Carly and little Poppy would bypass Melbourne and come back to Tasmania at season’s end for some well-earned downtime.
“He’s certainly been through the hard times (at Richmond),” hesaid.
“I can remember back in 2010 they won their first game (after nine losses to start) and it was like they’d won a premiership.
“They’ve built such a good club and a good system. It’s been fantastic for them to win games and win premierships and that’s why you play, to win premierships.”
Both tipped Cat Jake Kolodjashnij, recruited from Launceston, to line up on Jack.
Mr Brownless said it would be massive to see Gary Ablett Jr’s final game.
“I watched his dad play with Bill,’’ he said. “That’s special to see the last game. I’ m excited for that .”
As one great bows out, Mr Riewoldt said Jack, 31, had no plans to walk away even if the 282-game Tiger picked up a third premier ship.
“He’s not going anywhere,” he said. “He’s got another year on his contract. He’s certainly keen to go on and if his form’s good next year he’ll go again.”