Tigers begin effort to re-sign Jack Riewoldt beyond 2019

RICHMOND has started contract talks with star forward Jack Riewoldt in a bid to extend his stay beyond 2019, after the Tigers re-signed fellow bookend Alex Rance.

Jack Riewoldt in action against the Saints. Pic: AAP

RICHMOND has started contract talks with star Jack Riewoldt after locking away fellow bookend Alex Rance.

Riewoldt comes out of contract at the end of 2019 but is only 29 and at the peak of his powers.

The Herald Sun understands talks are progressing well for a deal that will lock him in past his current deal.

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The Tigers are working to lock in Jack Riewoldt beyond 2019. Picture: Michael Klein

The Tigers are in the hunt for Gold Coast free agent Tom Lynch but do not take for granted Riewoldt’s significant role at Punt Rd.

He has kicked 578 goals from 242 AFL games and been lauded for his selfless nature in a side that often contains a single tall.

Remarkably, he has averaged 22 games over the past decade and played at least 20 games in every year since 2009.

It means Richmond will have little hesitation locking him away past his 13th season.

Tom Lynch and Riewoldt are both born on October 31, the 25-year-old Gold Coast captain four years younger than the dual Coleman Medallist.

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Riewoldt said recently that Rance had sacrificed to stay at the Tigers, thrilled with the commitment of his fellow vice-captain.

“The club is very proud of him signing on. It gets to the point in your career where you get closer to 30 and you have to take a few sacrifices for the betterment of the football club,’’ he said.

“Alex has been great with that and hopefully we can have a few more (signings) in the new few weeks.”

The Lynch camp was adamant yesterday he could re-sign with the Suns or consider any of Richmond, Collingwood or Hawthorn.

But he is at a point in his decision-making process where he is open to meeting rival clubs.

The Tigers could go in unchanged on Saturday against the Pies after another crushing win over St Kilda.

Football boss Neil Balme said Dustin Martin was uninjured despite a heavy knock with Josh Battle that left him with bruise above his cheekbone.

Bachar Houli is training strongly and will take to the training track on Tuesday and Thursday to prove his fitness.

But coach Damien Hardwick said after Friday’s win he might return through the VFL, with Balme saying yesterday no decision had been made.

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