Maddie’s Match: St Kilda v Richmond game a tribute to Maddie Riewoldt
UPDATE: NICK Riewoldt says his late sister, Maddie, would be “so proud” of the turnout for yesterday’s match in her honour.
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NICK Riewoldt says his late sister, Maddie, would be “so proud” of the turnout for yesterday’s match in her honour.
A record Etihad Stadium crowd for the season turned the Docklands into a sea of purple for Maddie’s Match between St Kilda and Richmond football clubs.
The match raised tens of thousands for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, the foundation set up in Maddie’s honour to fight bone marrow failure.
Maddie, 26, died of aplastic anaemia in February after a five-year battle.
Many expected Saints captain Nick, who battled a calf injury all week - even missing media commitments on Saturday to walk in the icy bay - to park himself inside 50 – if he even played. But, ever-determined, he was never going to miss this one for anything.
Nick and his Tiger cousin, Jack, made the trip to the ground together. As family first, opposition second.
His calf strapped, he blew out any nerves in the warm-up, taking a moment to watch the big screen as a montage of childhood photos played along with Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone in honour of his dedicated Reds fan sibling.
He ran hard and gave direction to his teammates even harder, thanking the 45,772 who turned out in purple – nail polish, face paint, wigs and sparkling purple caps.
He gathered the troops at the banner, like always, but this time was different. His message lasted longer, his passion was greater. How much this meant to him was written all over his face.
Both Riewoldts, Nick and Tiger Jack, came together for the coin toss with a hug, the emotion in both evident early in the piece.
At the 28-minute mark of the second quarter – a quarter where he didn’t get a kick - Nick spoke with a physio while cousin Jack took a strong mark and kicked a goal after the siren, signalling the sky with a kiss.
Jack went on to add another two goals to his tally, though missed a few more, while Nick walked more than he ran, potentially a sign he wouldn’t have played were it not for the significance of this particular match.
But the goal he and the crowd had waited for came in the first minute of the last, a classy one from the pocket, with teammates streaming to get to him. It was long-awaited, and well deserved, but wasn’t repeated some 10 minutes later when he marked on the arc and didn’t consider a shot.
The feeling hung in the air that every man in the red, white and black was doing all they could to get their skipper a win for his little sister, surging hard as he battled.
As the pair came together again and embraced after the siren, it was again family first, opposition second.
But Richmond hung on by 16 points at full time to win the game.
Following the final whistle, sponsors donated $34,500 to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. The foundation aims to raise $1 million in a year.
Afterwards, Saints captain Nick said it had been “overwhelming”.
“Today wasn’t about us, it wasn’t about our family, it was about Maddie’s legacy. There are a lot of people out there suffering bone marrow failure and it will change lives, what has happened here today, so we’re really grateful.
“She’d be so proud. The response has been overwhelming. To all the people who have come out today ... to get it packed out was beyond our wildest dreams.”
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Tigers star Jack Riewoldt, Maddie’s cousin, said the big build-up to the game had been emotional.
“It’s about the legacy that Maddie left and there’s no bigger legacy than saving lives,” he said.
At the family’s request, rival Saints and Tigers fans flooded into Etihad wearing “a touch of purple” and carrying #FightLikeMaddie banners and flags.
The Tigers entered the stadium first, before Nick Riewoldt led his players on to the field - all wearing jumpers with a purple back.
Both clubs ran through purple banners bearing dedications to Maddie.
Rival fans united with a touch of purple, as requested by Maddie’s family, many carrying #FightLikeMaddie banners and flags.
A.S. Roma coach Rudi Garcia was among the crowd at Etihad, taking in AFL after last night’s penalty shoot-out win against Real Madrid.
Also at Etihad were Catherine Riewoldt and Carly Ziegler, wife and partner of Nick and Jack respectively.
Before the game, Ms Ziegler told the Herald Sun the support for MRV had been overwhelming.
“We’ve had neighbours knock on our front door, people we don’t know send us letters and stop us in the street just to chat about or donate to MRV, you can’t ask for more than that,” she said.
“It’s not only important for family and friends of Maddie and the family, but for others suffering from bone marrow failure as this is the first major fundraiser for MRV.”
After the game, players and coaches from both sides paid their respects to Nick and Jack.
Of every ticket bought, $5 went towards Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision and the fight against bone marrow failure.
Catherine said it had been an emotional week with Riewoldt also under an injury cloud and doing all he could to play today.
“Nick has given his all to honour Maddie and I’m so proud of him for what he’s achieved,” she said.
Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision aims to raise $1 million to fight bone marrow failure in its first year.
To get involved, donate at mrv.org.au or SMS ‘Maddie’ to 0437 371 371.
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