Needless to say, the achievement is monumental, especially considering the way Riewoldt plays the game and how many terrific leaders he has taken the field with.
Any one of Luke Ball, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard, Nick Dal Santo or Leigh Montagna would have been well equipped to lead an AFL club, and many of them have, but not to the level or the duration that Riewoldt has.
“I’m happy to hand the baton over to Nick,” Frawley told SAINTS.com.au.
“He’s been an outstanding player right from when he won the Rising Star award in his first full year of footy. His record will stack up with all the greats of St Kilda Footy Club and the greats of our game.”
Frawley before his 177th and final game as captain of the Saints. This was also the last game of his career.
VIDEO: Riewoldt post Rd 18 win
Riewoldt’s captaincy began in infamous fashion, injuring his collarbone in a 23-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba in the opening round of 2005.The all-conquering Lions were coming off four straight Grand Finals and were determined to bring down the Saints 22-year-old leader.
It took Riewoldt six weeks to get back on the park, and since then he’s been widely admired as the finest captain in the AFL, both officially and unofficially. The fact he was named captain of the All-Australian team in 2009 is testament to his lofty reputation.
“He’s really grown into the leadership role and a couple of weeks ago against Fremantle he was yet again the best player on the ground against players that are mostly younger than him. He leads from the front that’s for sure,” Frawley said.
Of Riewoldt’s 40 teammates who have run out for the Saints this season, 36 have never been captained by anyone else while at the club. Only Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Sam Fisher and James Gwilt know what it is like to run out behind anything other than the famous number 12 guernsey.
The coach who appointed Riewoldt in the first place, as part of a rotation system that included Lenny Hayes (2004) and Luke Ball (2006), was Grant Thomas.
Grant Thomas instructs Aaron Hamill, Fraser Gherig and a young Riewoldt on the training track.
When contacted this week, Thomas was unequivocal in his admiration for the 31-year-old.
“Without dispute Nick Riewoldt is the best player St Kilda has produced,” he told SAINTS.com.au.
“He’s not the best mark, not the best handballer, not the most courageous, not the most determined, but across the board he’s the best at everything. He’s had an incredible career.”
Saturday’s milestone will also take Riewoldt into eighth position for most games as captain in VFL/AFL history.
While Steven Kernahan’s 226 matches looks a fair way off, Riewoldt has already eclipsed proven leaders Jack Dyer, Nathan Buckley, Bob Skilton, Percy Bentley, David Neitz and Frawley this season.
Should he play every remaining game for the year, he will finish 2014 level with Sydney great Paul Kelly on 182 games and just two behind Wayne Carey.
Danny Frawley, who last skippered the Saints in the final round of 1995, is very proud of the record that he’s held for almost 20 years, but is equally pleased to watch Riewoldt lead his beloved Saints for the 178th time on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.
“It was a great honour to not only captain the Saints, but be the longest serving captain for a number of years also. It’s something I’m very proud of,” he said.
“I couldn’t be happier for Nick. He’s been a great player and leader for such a long time.”
MOST GAMES AS AN AFL/VFL CAPTAIN:
Steven Kernahan (Carlton 1986-97) 226 games
Dick Reynolds (Essendon 1933-50) 224
Ted Whitten (Footscray 1951-70) 212
Michael Voss (Brisbane 1992-2006) 210
John Nicholls (Carlton 1957-74) 188
Wayne Carey (North Melbourne 1989-2001) 184
Paul Kelly (Sydney 1990-2002) 182
Danny Frawley (St Kilda 1984-95) 177
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda 2001- ) 177*
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Two iconic Saints: Lenny and St Nick.
“Without dispute Nick Riewoldt is the best player St Kilda has produced,” he told SAINTS.com.au.
“He’s not the best mark, not the best handballer, not the most courageous, not the most determined, but across the board he’s the best at everything. He’s had an incredible career.”
Saturday’s milestone will also take Riewoldt into eighth position for most games as captain in VFL/AFL history.
While Steven Kernahan’s 226 matches looks a fair way off, Riewoldt has already eclipsed proven leaders Jack Dyer, Nathan Buckley, Bob Skilton, Percy Bentley, David Neitz and Frawley this season.
Should he play every remaining game for the year, he will finish 2014 level with Sydney great Paul Kelly on 182 games and just two behind Wayne Carey.
Danny Frawley, who last skippered the Saints in the final round of 1995, is very proud of the record that he’s held for almost 20 years, but is equally pleased to watch Riewoldt lead his beloved Saints for the 178th time on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.
“It was a great honour to not only captain the Saints, but be the longest serving captain for a number of years also. It’s something I’m very proud of,” he said.
“I couldn’t be happier for Nick. He’s been a great player and leader for such a long time.”
MOST GAMES AS AN AFL/VFL CAPTAIN:
Steven Kernahan (Carlton 1986-97) 226 games
Dick Reynolds (Essendon 1933-50) 224
Ted Whitten (Footscray 1951-70) 212
Michael Voss (Brisbane 1992-2006) 210
John Nicholls (Carlton 1957-74) 188
Wayne Carey (North Melbourne 1989-2001) 184
Paul Kelly (Sydney 1990-2002) 182
Danny Frawley (St Kilda 1984-95) 177
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda 2001- ) 177*
Two iconic Saints: Lenny and St Nick.
