St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt to retire at end of 2017 season

UPDATE: NICK Riewoldt has announced his retirement, saying he knows he gave everything to help St Kilda win a flag and is proud to go out “with petrol in the tank”.

ST KILDA champion Nick Riewoldt says he retires content in the knowledge he gave everything to help the Saints win a second premiership.

Riewoldt will play the Saints’ final four matches of the season and will finish on 337 matches unless St Kilda makes a miraculous finals appearance.

REPLAY RIEWOLDT’S PRESS CONFERENCE LIFE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

THE BEST? ANDO SAYS ‘ROO’ AMONG GREATEST FORWARDS

The 34-year-old played in three Grand Finals, coming agonisingly close to lifting the premiership cup in a 12-point loss to Geelong in 2009 and a draw against Collingwood the following year.

“I can cop that, we gave everything we had and came up just short,” he said.

“Could I have tried any harder? Could I have pushed any further? The answer is no.”

Congratulations Rooey 👏 #star

— Brendan Fevola (@BrendanFevola25) July 31, 2017

Rooey. Champion of the game. Admired and respected by ALL his peers. #NickReiwoldt #Champion

— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) July 31, 2017

Riewoldt said he was proud of his 17-year career that included six best-and-fairest awards, five All-Australian guernseys and the 2002 AFL Rising Star Award, but the time was right to hang up the boots.

“I couldn’t be more convinced that the time is right (to retire) and step aside,” Riewoldt said.

“I’m really proud that I’m doing so with a litre or two of petrol left in the tank rather than being run out on the side of the road with a foot up, begging for help.

There's only one Nick Riewoldt 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EZ3EB7Zt8Y

— AFL (@AFL) July 31, 2017

Nick Riewoldt announces his retirement today.

“So I’m really excited about the future and really grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had to represent the football club and to do something that I have just loved ... this has been my job for 17 years, but the time is right for me to step aside.”

Riewoldt thanked his family and former coaches, saying he would now spend time “repaying those closest to me.”

Riewoldt told his teammates this morning of his decision to retire.

“Joey told me ‘don’t try to be funny because I’m not’,” the former skipper said.

A shattered Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke after the 2009 Grand Final.

Nick Riewoldt considers himself lucky to have been captain of the Saints. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Moments before today’s press conference, Riewoldt sent a video to Saints members where he delivered the news.

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to inform you that 2017 will be my last year playing footy with the St Kilda Football Club and in the AFL,” he said.

Nick Riewoldt celebrates with supporters after a win over the Cats last season.

“I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks to all of you for the support and the love that you’ve shown me over the past 17 years.

“The St Kilda footy club’s been my home for half of my life, which is just incredible to think about.

“The way that I’ve been embraced and my family’s been embraced and welcomed into the St Kilda family by all of you is something that I’ll just be forever grateful for.

“I’ll always be a part of that family and I’m incredibly grateful for that as well.”

Major announcement from Saints today. One of their veterans will reveal their retirement plans. About 2pm. More @superfooty

— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) July 30, 2017

Riewodlt’s father Joe confirmed the news on Twitter this morning, writing to a follower “... it's really happening today. 4 more games”. He later deleted the tweet.

Riewoldt has played 333 games and was rested against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

“He’d be the first to admit that his last couple of performances have been below his best, it was time for him to have a spell. We’ll get him back next week, all going well in terms of the plan and he’ll be better for that break,’’ Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

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Asked about Riewoldt’s future, he said: “All I can really say on that is the conversations are absolutely private but they are ongoing.

“Both camps know exactly where they sit, there are conversations between player and coach, there are conversations between management.’’

St Kilda veterans Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt.

Nick Riewoldt takes ‘that mark’ at the SCG.

Nick Riewoldt chaired off after playing his 300th game. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Nick Riewoldt with Elliott Vanderland, the 4-year-old fan diagnosed with aplastic anaemia who ran through the banner at Maddie's Match this year. Picture: Jason Edwards

Nobody could believe what just happened. Captains Nick Maxwell and Nick Riewoldt after the drawn 2010 grand final.

Teammate Leigh Montagna is yet to announce his playing future.

Montagna won’t play again this season unless the Saints make the finals after suffering a bad hamstring injury against Sydney a week ago.

Last week he admitted he may have played his last game.

“Same deal (for Montagna), let’s see how you’re going physically, there’s no doubt that it’s not great timing, I think he said as much,’’ Richardson said.

“We’ll make that call and we’ll have those ongoing discussions and make a call in the next few weeks.’’