Nick Riewoldt teaches Griffin Logue a valuable footy lesson, writes Mark Robinson

ST KILDA champion Nick Riewoldt may be Griffin Logue’s all-time favourite player but the Dockers youngster learnt a valuable lesson from his idol, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Fremantle youngster Griffin Logue list Nick Riewoldt as his favourite player to watch. Picture: Getty Images

FREMANTLE’S Griffin Logue might want to rethink his biography on the club’s website.

Asked the player from another club he most likes to watch, Logue answered: Nick Riewoldt.

Asked his all-time favourite player, Logue answered: Nick Riewoldt.

If he was asked today which player has made the biggest fool of him in his debut season, surely he would answer: Nick Riewoldt.

The Saints champ cajoled a 50m penalty out of Logue and the umpire when he called for the ball from Logue and then allowed it to fall to the ground, knowing full well it wasn’t his kick.

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Fan backlash has labelled Riewoldt a cheat, a smart arse and committing unsportsmanlike behaviour.

At a pinch you could argue all of that. It was a quick-thinking act which deceived the player and the umpire and gifted teammate Tim Membrey a goal.

But cheat? Don’t think so.

Think it was more rascal than anything and if Bob Murphy was still judging the rascal of the week award on AFL360, he’d have no hesitation awarding it to Riewoldt.

Have always believed these kinds of acts are judged by who does them rather than what happened.

If Stevie Johnson did what Riewoldt did on Sunday at Subiaco, the commentary would be lighthearted, along the lines of the cagey ol’ bugger trips up the young fella.

If it was Tomas Bugg, the commentary would probably have more edge to it, along the lines of the pest doing his best pesky work.

Because it was Riewoldt, who is both liked and not liked by the fans, there’s a bt of Johnson and a bit of Bugg about it.

A football career is about development and learning, not least learning to never trust an opposition player, because he owes you nothing and that’s why the veteran Riewoldt targeted the vulnerability of 19-year-old Logue.

It was smart by Riewoldt.

He quickly recognised a naivety in Logue, compounded by 16 years of knowledge the umpire will pay a 50m for not correctly throwing the ball back to the person who had won it.

The umpires were right across it.

Nick Riewoldt got the better of Fremantle’s Griffin Logue at Subiaco on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

The officiating umpire told Logue he had to return the ball to Membrey. Despite Riewoldt’s antics, the fact Logue sent the ball in Riewoldt’s direction meant it was going to be an automatic 50m penalty whether Riewoldt caught it or not.

It was a critical time in the game. Membrey received the 50m and the Saints gained momentum.

As for Riewoldt, it was rascalish more than cheating, and Logue will forever remember an opposition is not an umpire.

Even Fox Footy commentator Ben Dixon laughed at the situation because he recalled Chris Scott doing the same thing to him when Scott was playing at Brisbane and Dixon for Hawthorn.

Learning the fundamentals of football is crucial and so, too, is learning that the opposition is the enemy and never, ever believe anything they say or do.

It’s a lesson Logue won’t ever forget.