Jack Riewoldt retires bringing an end to Richmond’s dynasty

Another key figure in Richmond’s historic triple-premiership dynasty has moved into retirement after a stellar career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 30: Jack Riewoldt of the Tigers celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2023 AFL Round 20 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It’s the end of an era at Richmond with their finals run over and goalkicking great Jack Riewoldt set to join his triple-premiership-winning captain Trent Cotchin in retirement.

Riewoldt, who famously danced on the stage with The Killers after the epic 2017 premiership breakthrough, leaves as one of the Tigers all-time greats after 346 games and a mammoth 786 goals in black and yellow.

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Riewoldt reportedly told his teammates of his decision on Tuesday morning.

Only Kevin Bartlett has played more games (403) for Richmond than Riewoldt and the 34-year-old sits 13th on the AFL’s all-time goal tally and is set to finish just short of Matthew Richardson’s Richmond 800.

Riewoldt finishes as a three-time Coleman medallist as the AFL’s leading goalkicker, a three-time All-Australian and two-time club best and fairest. He also won Richmond’s goalkicking 11 times and is on his way to a 12th.

Riewoldt finishes as one of the most decorated Tigers of all time. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Riewoldt famously danced on stage with The Killers after the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2017 premiership win. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Riewoldt’s retirement comes after concussion issues have forced Sydney defender and former No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin into retirement for a second time, ending one of the AFL’s great comeback stories.

Ongoing injury battles have also forced West Coast star and former No. 2 draft pick Nic Naitanui into retirement at the age of 33 after 213 games with the Eagles.

McCartin, 27, suffered the 10th concussion of his career in round four against Port Adelaide and hasn’t played since. The blow came after he had revived his career in Sydney having managed just 35 games across five seasons with St Kilda due to repeated head knocks.

Having already decided to sit out the rest of the 2023 amid ongoing discussions with doctors, an independent AFL medical concussion panel recommended that McCartin cease participation in contact sport and he subsequently made his decision.

McCartin, pictured alongside brother Tom (left), played 35 games for the Swans including a critical role in the run to the 2022 Grand Final. Photo by Phil Hillyard

“I am obviously disappointed that I’m no longer able to continue to do what I love, but I have to be guided by the specialists and I know that this is the right decision for me,” McCartin said.

“I want to thank the Sydney Swans for the faith shown in me and the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing AFL football. It has been a privilege to play for this great club and I will remember this time fondly.

“I want to especially thank Lucy, my family, teammates, coaches and medical staff for their wonderful support through this challenging period – I’m very grateful.”

McCartin’s retirement ended a 63-game AFL career that started with promise when he was taken as the first pick in the 2014 draft.

He was delisted by St Kilda at the end of the 2019 season to deal with concussion issues and following a year out of the game, McCartin relocated to Sydney, where his younger brother Tom was playing for the Swans, in 2021 to play with the VFL side.

Drafted as a key forward to the Saints, McCartin made the move to defence for the second phase of his career and signed a rookie contract by the Swans for 2022.

Working as a dynamic duo, the McCartin brothers played then an integral role in the Swans’ march to last year’s grand final as key pillars in the backline.

But after just 28 matches in red and white, and only four this season, McCartin will hang up his boots.

Naitanui, a two-time West Coast best and fairest who was taken second pick in the 2008 draft, joins fellow Eagles veterans Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn in retirement, having not played a single game in 2023.

A three-time All-Australian, Naitanui has been battling an achilles injury that ultimately required surgery several weeks ago and said his body had told him it was time to walk away.

“I feel like I have exhausted every avenue to work my way through my injury, but my body is sending a strong message that it is time,” Naitanui said.

Naitanui exits the game as one of the biggest box-office footballers of the 21st century. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“You never want this day to come, but it always does and I’m content in the knowledge that I have given it everything.

“Being a power athlete who has relied on my ability to jump throughout my career, this injury was probably going to take that away from me.

“I am also looking at a lengthy rehabilitation from my latest surgery and there are no guarantees of making it back to AFL level even if everything goes to plan. I have given it a lot of thought in the last few weeks and this is the best decision for the club, myself and my family.

“I would also like to thank the club for the opportunity, the enormous amount of support I have received along the journey and the lifelong friendships that have been created.”