St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt stays home despite AFL Hall of Fame invitation

A St Kilda legend accepted an invite from the AFL to attend the prestigious Hall of Fame ceremony, but he never showed up.

Fox Footy commentator Nick Riewoldt looks on during the Round 4 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Saturday, June 27, 2020. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt accepted an invitation from the AFL to attend the prestigious Hall of Fame ceremony on Tuesday night.

But the former superstar forward never showed up and will now be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.

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Three modern-day AFL champions were inducted on Tuesday night with Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell joining Geelong duo Jimmy Bartel and Corey Enright.

Mitchell, Bartel and Enright, alongside Magarey Medallists Tom Leahy (1913) and Michael Aish (1981), were the first five players from the 2023 class revealed at Crown Palladium in Melbourne, with legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney then becoming the latest media member of the Hall of Fame.

The final inductee of the night waa Mark ‘Choco’ Williams — a four-time Port Adelaide SANFL premiership player, ex-Collingwood player and the coach of the Power’s maiden AFL premiership in 2004.

AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder confirmed Riewoldt will be officially inducted next year.

Nick opted to skip the night. Picture:Ten

“For the record tonight, I wish to announce that Nick Riewoldt was nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame, which he has gratefully accepted. But Nick is away living in the United States with his children and family,” Goyder said.

“Nick will be formally inducted next year on his return, but I’d hate for you to think that our selection panel somehow missed the high-flying No. 12 for the Saints now that he’s eligible for induction.”

But it was his absence that captured the attention of footy fans.

I’m surprised Nick Riewoldt didn’t make the trip back to Aus for the HOF. Glad he’s at least being acknowledged because he deserves to get in 1st year of eligibility

— Willy Aitch (@WillyAitch) June 27, 2023

Players are eligible to be inducted only after they’ve been retired for at least five years, with Mitchell joining the Hall of Fame immediately following his retirement at the end of 2017.

A four-time premiership player – including Hawthorn’s captain in 2008 – five-time best and fairest winner, triple All-Australian and 2012 Brownlow Medallist, Mitchell played 329 games across 15 seasons with Hawthorn and West Coast.

Minutes later, Bartel joined Mitchell in the Hall of Fame after retiring in 2016 with one of the AFL’s great CV.

A three-time premiership player, 2011 Norm Smith Medallist, dual All-Australian and 2007 Brownlow Medallist, Bartel kicked 202 goals from 305 games for Geelong across 14 seasons.

Bartel is one of only two AFL players, along with Brisbane legend Simon Black, to have won a Brownlow Medal, a Norm Smith Medal and play over 300 AFL games.

Bartel’s teammate Enright was then officially inducted.

The class of 2023. Photo by Michael Klein.

Enright was part of the Geelong‘s 2007, 2009 and 2011 flags. Crucially, he won his two best and fairests in the two latter premiership years.

Enright dubbed himself “the accidental AFL player”. Yet he finished his career as a durable, consistent, courageous and respected Cats champion and one of the modern-day great defenders.

The event, though, was somewhat marred after the AFL Commission on Tuesday removed legend Barry Cable from the Hall of Fame after being found guilty of sexually abusing a girl at the height of his playing career.

The Australian Football Hall of Fame seeks to recognise and enshrine players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives who have made significant contributions to Australian Football – at any level – since the game‘s inception in 1858.