Richmond star Jack Riewoldt ‘disappointed’ by AFL legend Leigh Matthews’ attack on playing group
AFL legend Leigh Matthews was taking no prisoners when he lambasted the playing group over the ongoing pay dispute. And Tiger star Jack Riewoldt has responded.
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Dual premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt has fired back at AFL legend Leigh Matthews, believing his ferocious attack on the current playing list was “irresponsible”
Matthews described the playing group’s proposal for a 50 per cent pay cut as “embarrassingly disappointing” on Sportsday 3AW on Tuesday night, declaring he has “lost a lot of respect” for them.
The Richmond goalkicker responded in kind, claiming Matthews’ comments were reckless given his immense standing in the game.
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“For an AFL great to say that about the current playing list I think is really disappointing.” Riewoldt told AFL 360.
“Leigh has a strong opinion and a well heard voice so I thought that was a bit irresponsible.”
Riewoldt argued the criticism was harsh considering the playing group had come together to raise vital funds for bushfire relief less than a month ago.
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“We’ve only got to go back three weeks ago and 45-50 of the best players of the game out their hand up and said ‘we will help Australia raise $8 million dollars and put our bodies on the line,” he said.
North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell labelled Matthews’ comments “disappointing”.
“The players are one stakeholder in the game ... the game is taking a massive hit at the moment and we’re not not going to take a hit because of that as well,” Ziebell said.
“We understand that there’s some stuff coming. As players, we’re just trying to work through with the AFLPA and the AFL the best solution for everyone.
“We’ll land somewhere with that, and I think going forward ... staff members at football clubs, staff members at AFL House ... the game is taking a big hit and as players, we’re not immune to that. We’re going to do that as well. What that looks like, we’re not quite sure. But I think we as players are very accommodating towards our game.”
Riewoldt added the players offered to halve their wages until May 31 because that was the date the AFL had tentatively set for the competition to restart.
He said they would be willing to renegotiate when the fate of the season became clearer.
“At the moment we put something to the AFL that says let’s re-evaluate in 10 weeks’ time, probably six weeks time, because we’ll know what’s going to come about with COVID-19,” Riewoldt said.
“But people shouldn’t be under any illusion we’re going to go ‘nah nah, we want to be paid fully’. If the game isn’t going, we understand there’s a massive role for the players to take. There’ll be plenty of other cuts, we may see lists cut, we may see players’ jobs lost. We totally understand that.
“Let’s just take a breath, we’ve got until June 1. Let’s make a decision then.”
Kangaroos ruckman Todd Goldstein said AFL contracts were complex and the players were trying to ensure the inevitable pay cuts are “fair” for everyone.
“I know everyone paints it as if it’s a big dispute,” Goldstein told SEN.
“We’re doing everything we can to work with them.
“I think it’s a bit unfair to say the players are being selfish, we’re trying to work really well with the AFL.”
Last week Riewoldt passionately defended the AFLPA’s hopeful request to play a 22-game season before the AFL brought the game to a halt until May 31.
- with Gilbert Gardiner and Lauren Wood