Jack Riewoldt has revealed the major factors behind his decision to sign on with Richmond.
The 33-year-old will suit up for a 17th season with the Tigers after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal earlier this week.
Riewoldt is excited to continue his journey at Tigerland and has been enlivened by the news that GWS midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper have both nominated Richmond as their club of choice.
“I’m looking forward to rolling around again for the mighty yellow and black,” Riewoldt said on SEN Tassie.
“I got there just when I turned 18 and now I’ll be 34 at the end of this year. It’s been a long part of my journey, one that I’ve enjoyed thoroughly and one that I didn’t want to end this year at least.
“It’s very exciting and obviously the news recently with Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper selecting that they would like to come to the Tigers as well, as an older player it really fills your cup up knowing that you’re hopefully going to be a genuine contender again next year.”
The three-time premiership player, Coleman Medallist and All-Australian admits he had serious thoughts about finishing up this year, even discussing his potential retirement with veteran Aussie cyclist Richie Porte.
“Coming into this season I probably was of the mindset that it would be my last year,” he added.
“I remember when I did the Ride4Ryan (in Tasmanian in December) I sat next to Richie Porte when we were peddling along the highway and I said, ‘What are you going to do?’, and he goes, ‘I’m done at the end of the year’. He said, ‘Yourself?’, and I said, ‘Look, I think am too. There’s just a whole host of things I want to do going forward outside of football’.
“Richie is actually riding in his last tour at the moment so he’s only a few days away from retirement. I’ve gone back on my word a little bit there as I’m obviously playing on again.”
Riewoldt explained his thinking behind going around again in 2023, the overriding reason being to win a fourth premiership.
The 326-game, 755-goal Richmond great admits the Elimination Final loss to Brisbane left a sour taste in his mouth and he firmly believes the team has the capabilities of contending again.
“There’s a whole host of things that I’ve factored in,” Riewoldt said.
“It probably comes down to three points - One is that I love playing footy, first and foremost, that’s the thing that’s really important to me.
“I also think we’re a genuine chance and I still think I’ve got something to offer. That’s the other thing.
“It’s still hurting a little bit the fact that this season didn’t finish like we would have liked it to. I firmly believe that we had a good chance of going a little bit deeper than we did originally.
“Now I set my sights on getting back to the club in the best condition and season 2023.”
Riewoldt admits he and long-time teammate Trent Cotchin, who also signed on for 2023, will be on much less money next year but insists the motivation is simply around further success.
“I reckon myself and Trent are a little bit under what the market rate might be for us,” he added.
“I’ve constantly said this over the week when I’ve been asked this question is that I’ve been paid very handsomely for a long time now. I’m not playing to get paid next year, I’m playing to win another premiership.
“That’s the reason I’m going to go around. I want to go out and win another flag.
“This is what happens at good clubs. I think you’d find at Geelong there’d be guys like Tom Hawkins, who is the same age as me and having an All-Australian captain year, who would be being paid completely out of the ballpark what people think he’d be worth.
“That’s just what good clubs do and older players have to do when you get the end of your career. You have to step aside and let the likes of Shai Bolton and Daniel Rioli earn what they’re worth.
“It’s certainly an interesting time for our football club. Hopefully we can sign and seal the two players (Taranto and Hopper) that have said they’d like to come to the Tiges.”
After 16 seasons with Richmond, Riewoldt sits second behind only Kevin Bartlett for games played and fourth on the club’s all-time goalkicking list.