Nick Riewoldt’s commitment to St Kilda Football Club and its current journey under Alan Richardson is a major reason why those associated with the Saints adore the champion forward, says the skipper’s coach.

Richardson and Riewoldt may have only worked together for just over two years, but the impact the six-time best and fairest winner has had on St Kilda during his 15-year odyssey has definitely not been lost on the experienced football mentor.

Since the Saints’ climb to consecutive Grand Finals in 2009 and 2010, including the replayed decider in 2010, the club has gradually come back down the other side of the summit, losing a handful of key players due to free agency and brave list management calls.

Despite losing close mates to rival clubs along the way, Riewoldt has stayed true to the club that gave him the opportunity to fulfil his childhood dream. And it’s that commitment to the cause that Richardson finds so admirable.

“He’s been outstanding hasn’t he for our club?” Richardson told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Tuesday night.

“In a period where the club’s made some strong decisions and players have moved on, Nick has stayed. He’s been really committed to our footy club and the journey that we’re on.

“Our fans love him for all the right reasons. We love him. He’s been an outstanding player and a really strong leader.”

When Riewoldt was appointed captain for an 11^th season in February, some sections of the media criticised the club’s decision, suggesting St Kilda was wasting an opportunity to develop its next captain whilst still having access to a great on a daily basis.

Contrary to this notion, Richardson said it was an easy decision to make for the club given the entire football club, both from a Football department and administration perspective, firmly believed it was in the club’s best interest to see the No. 12 leading the way again.

“Our process is based on what’s really important to us. It was still strongly pushed by all at the footy club that Nick is still the man,” Richardson said.

“That it would be artificial to go any other way given that he is still performing strongly and challenging and coaching in many ways a young group a group that’s on a journey, it would almost be too artificial so it was pretty easy really.”

At Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, Riewoldt will join illustrious company to become just the fifth St Kilda player to reach the 300 game milestone when the team face Western Bulldogs.