Write off Nick Riewoldt’s AFL future at your peril, warns St Kilda boss Matt Finnis.
The Saints’ star is in ongoing talks with the club about whether he continues beyond this season and there is plenty of speculation about what might happen.
Riewoldt has played 332 games, second only to former teammate Robert Harvey.
St Kilda also must make a call later this year on fellow veteran Leigh Montagna, who is on 286 games.
“Certainly, we’re in regular dialogue with Nick and Joey and their management,” Finnis said.
“It’s a conversation that’s happening around us, but the most-important conversation is happening in the four walls of our footy club.
“Nick has been a champion for a long time and anyone who is quick to write him off would be making a pretty hazardous guess.”
Finnis says there are a lot of factors to weigh up with Riewoldt – his physical and mental state, how the team is developing and what next year looks like for the Saints.
“There is no timeline as such,” he said.
“Like all clubs, our list management committee starts to meet more regularly this time of year.
“So we will weigh up all the factors that need to be considered in this decision.
“There’s still over a quarter of the season to go and we won’t be rushed into making a decision.”
Meanwhile, Finnis has endorsed two key Saints officials as potential replacements after last week’s sudden departures from AFL House.
The league’s football operations manager Simon Lethlean and commercial boss Richard Simkiss have left because of extra-marital relationships with junior colleagues.
The early speculation is that Saints list manager Ameet Bains will be a strong candidate to take over Lethlean’s job.
When asked about Bains, Finnis added he hoped Saints commercial manager Christine Finnegan would be considered to replace Simkiss.
“We have some great people at our footy club and it would be a good thing if the AFL considers the great talent coming through the ranks, both in clubs, but also across the broader industry,” Finnis said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Saints announced midfielder Jack Sinclair had re-signed until the end of 2019.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
That last paragraph is a very, very good point. Always fantastic to have a elder mentor at a club, particularly someone as accomplished as Nick.
Peter the Scribe
Guest
It would be sad to see Nick in another jumper but look at Stevie J....he would have been retired two years now if he just accepted Geelong's decision and now he stands the chance of being a premiership player again this year.
Birdman
Guest
Montagna doesn't seem to be keeping anyone out of the squad so he gets a 1 year extension I think
Birdman
Guest
Changing clubs at this stage of his career would be sad but equally I can't see much use in the Saints keeping him on as a part timer next year. It looks like that Etihad surface has finally taken its toll on the old champ but I'd be happy to be wrong.
I ate pies
Guest
He's done. He should retire.
Mattician6x6
Guest
if the price is right and he isn't a walk up start then can't see it hurting going on another season, I highly doubt he would be making more than base rate with incentives for meeting kpi (still a better wicket than the majority in society). Keeping nick around also gives the coaching staff a another strong voice on training track as well as out on the field and even if he gets injured a older influence in the rehab group can be a tool in teaching younger boys how to prepare and what it takes to be a professional sports player.
Peter the Scribe
Guest
If the Saints don't want Nick, we will have him for a year or two at the pies thanks very much. Eddie tried to get him once before, maybe 2018?