Jack tells how injury has cursed his year
WITH a second grand final in three seasons looming for Tasmanian Tiger Jack Riewoldt when Richmond plays GWS at the MCG on Saturday, the Richmond key forward revealed his battle with injury this year has taken its toll mentally.
The 256-game Tiger has this year played the least amount of games since his AFL debut in 2007, and that has not sat well with Riewoldt.
“It’s been a really weird season — I’ve never really been injured like this and I’ve found it hard to deal with mentally,” Riewoldt said.
In Richmond’s win over Brisbane at the Gabba, Riewoldt had only six touches but produced three critical goals and, in the preliminary-final thriller over Geelong, he had six possessions and only kicked 0.3 from a disposal efficiency of 16.7 per cent. His efforts did include one brilliant goal assist to tattooed tough guy Dustin Martin.
Riewoldt broke his wrist and strained a knee in Round 2 and, in his first game back, damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the Anzac Day eve clash.
“I’m just wanting to have impact but unfortunately I’ve still got training wheels on, I’m still finding my legs. A bit of a disappointment the way I played [against Geelong], but I did a few little things, one-percenters,” Riewoldt said.
“I’m better for the run and I’m looking forward to next week. The journey is what we play for and this journey has been a bit of a different one to 2017 and 2018, but it’s been a hell of a ride.”
Tall Tiger Tom Lynch was a game winner up forward, drilling 5.1 from 19 touches. Riewoldt was full of praise for Lynch.
“I’m really proud of him — he’s a fantastic person, a bloody great player,” Riewoldt said.
“To stand up in his first preliminary final and play the way he did — it’s been coming for a little while.”
Tiger teammate Toby Nankervis, two games back from injury, is building form ahead of his grand-final clash with Giant Shane Mumford.
After a devastating fourpoint loss to GWS in their preliminary final, shattered Tassie Magpies Jeremy Howe and Brody Mihocek will drown their sorrows today at Collingwood’s Mad Monday.