I was in Year 6 when Nick Riewoldt debuted. I’m now almost 28. Naturally then his retirement has had a large effect on me.
But strangely, the announcement has come as some sort of relief. For the past five years at least, every contest that Riewoldt contested, felt like it could be his last – his body seemed that close to the edge.
But now he will depart on his own terms, either in four games’ time or, for the romantics and dreamers like me, in eight games – with a medal around his neck and a cup in his hands.
In Round 1 this year, Riewoldt landed awkwardly and injured his knee. From that point on, the intensity of the crowd seemed to drop – the loss to Melbourne seemed of less importance than the possibility that Nick had played his last game. But two weeks later he was back, showing the extraordinary willpower he has always had to get up again and again.
It’s this willpower which has seen him play on busted knees for the majority of the back half of his career. And play well too. His career has been one of the best ever seen at St Kilda, not only for the skills and endurance that he brought every week he played, but also for the leadership he gave through the scandals that plagued the club over the past few years.
His accolades speak for themselves and do not need to be mentioned again here. What does need to be said (and this is the greatest compliment that you can give a footballer) is that like Robert Harvey and Lenny Hayes before him, he left nothing on the field and gave everything he had to the game and the club.
When Harvey retired in 2008, there was no fairytale – although it was close. A loss in a preliminary final is about as close as you can get. Hayes never had a chance for a fairytale ending, St Kilda being at its lowest ebb at the time. But in my mind, Riewoldt still does have his chance for a fairytale.
The majority of the comments since the announcement have stated that he only has four games left and will retire without a premiership. But it is still (to use a dreaded term) ‘mathematically possible’ for the Saints to make finals.
In fact, it is still highly possible if they can win the next four games – all of which are winnable if the team gives everything they have . And then, after that, who knows. The Bulldogs last year proved that you can now win the premiership from anywhere in the top 8. While there is life, the dream – for me at least – remains alive.
Even if the fairytale remains just a dream, Riewoldt will retire as one of the greatest St Kilda players ever and certainly its greatest captain.
He will also retire as one of the greatest players in the modern era of the AFL. But if the football gods have a sense of romance there is still one final, glorious chapter left in the Riewoldt story.
Lroy
Guest
And being born post-80s was probably best as a St Kilda supporter, although I do wish I could have seen Moorabbin in its ..... Your right, St Kilda will never make another grand final... As for me, life was never the same after we lost Elvis...
Pat Hornidge
Roar Guru
I saw a comment great online somewhere yesterday saying that Reiwoldt has 'the leadership of Baldock, the endurance of Harvey and the Heart of Hayes.'
Pat Hornidge
Roar Guru
I have like bits of memories from the mid nineties, like being lost in the Waverley carpark, but my first real memory is, I think, of the '96 Ansett cup final. But I'm not sure if that's because of being there or because I watched the VHS of it so many times! haha I don't remember the '97 Grand Final itself much (luckily), but do remember the leadup, and watching training and everything. And '89 I think was a great year to be born. Got to grow up in the post cold war, but pre-9/11 era. And also the pre-digital era, which made growing up a lot easier I think. And being born post-80s was probably best as a St Kilda supporter, although I do wish I could have seen Moorabbin in its glory days!
andyl12
Guest
Yo Pat, what's your first memory of footy? Is it before or after the '97 GF? And do you '89 babies feel like it was a good year to be born? I mean that in both a football and a life-in-general context.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
I stopped reading at "I'm now almost 28"... we don't need you flaunting your youthfulness on these pages you know! I really liked your comment/comparison to Harvey and Hayes... very true, and very very apt. One thing's for certain, he's going to have a pretty good highlights reel by the end.
Mattyb
Guest
I love Pav AD and got to see the great mans final game. I rated our premiership chances pretty slim after that game. To be negative Pavs send off was hilarious in its ridiculousness,it went on and on and I thought he was never going to leave. I was a funny sight that day,all decked out in my Doggies gear warmly apploading the mighty Pav. Half the people around me wondering what the heck was going on,this bloke who's been cheering us all year has suddenly turned. The other half new the story because I had shocked them the year before when I showed my true colours. Was a nice day even though we lost,so glad I was there albeit under strange circumstances. Very similar players Riewoldt and Pav,the only real difference is one played for a Victorian club. Great player Riewoldt,will be very missed.
me too
Roar Rookie
All of them are winnable if we play our best and fix up our shocking goal kicking - currently at 46% and last. Last season we were 5th - do that this year and we're well inside the eight. Rob Harvey had a great goodbye despite the prelim loss - every game the opposition teams would line up to clap him off. Just so well respected. I hope the teams ahead do the same for Nick - a true champion and loyal Saint.
peter chrisp
Guest
let's hope he can play the final 4 games and the last game against Richmond & a win against them would be great
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I didn't know he was close to being a Lion! That would've been something special. Not that he isn't special, though: he most definitely is. Always been a fan of Reiwoldt, and it's weird to think he's been playing footy for a huge part of my life. All but three years of it, to be specific. What a legend.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Haha, maybe the Saints are hoping to copy Freo with the announce-a-retirement-and-win plan. Worked with Pavlich's retirement + the win against the Bulldogs last year.
Mattician6x6
Guest
When he announced His retirement I couldn't help but think why have you done this leading into west coast match, any slim hopes I had evaporated. Anyway awesome player, awesome resilience and has been a pleasure to watch his career.
johno
Guest
In the original Goldilocks fairy tale the bears actually tear her apart and eat her, a warning to children about breaking and entering. So maybe that kind of fairytale ending? Old School?
TomC
Roar Guru
He's always been one of my favourite players. Very close to being a Brisbane Lion, of course. They changed the zoning rules specifically so the Lions couldn't get him. Fair enough, really. As DG says there won't be a fairytale premiership, but I think he'll always be remembered as one of the Saints' greatest.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I'm sorry Pat but there's no Fairytale ending here.