Riewoldt becoming Hogan’s hero
JESSE Hogan couldn’t quite catch Nick Riewoldt’s eye.
As they mingled at this year’s Fox Footy launch, Hogan hoped to have a word with the St Kilda champion.
Hogan had just started reading the Gold Coaster’s book and had grown up idolising his phenomenal workrate.
“He was an absolute machine,” Hogan gushed.
“The first player to average 12 marks a game. I think he was leading the all-time marks — that’s pretty much the epitome of a key forward’s workrate.”
Hogan was correct. Last year Riewoldt overtook Brownlow Medallist Gary Dempsey’s record of 2906 marks and ended his career with 2944, although he averaged 8.8 per match.
And Hogan’s admiration was important, because Melbourne has midfield hopes for its hulking spearhead.
He is still the Demons’ goalkicking colossus, but Hogan is now a ‘rarely leave home key forward’ rather than a ‘stay at home key forward’. He’ll keep his front door keys with him at all times.
Against Hawthorn last week, Hogan slipped up the ground early to record 12 disposals in the first quarter.
“I’ve never done that before,” Hogan said.
Hogan and the Demons will hope to keep rewriting history tonight when they face premiers Richmond at the MCG at 7.25pm.