AFL ‘disappointed’ by Nick Riewoldt’s second Hall of Fame no-show

The AFL has reportedly been left “disappointed” by a legendary player’s no-show at the Hall of Fame for the second year in a row.

Nick Riewoldt’s absence from the AFL of Hall of Fame ceremony for the second year in a row has reportedly left the AFL “disappointed”.

The St Kilda legend walked away from a blossoming television career in December 2022 to relocate to Texas, where his wife Catherine’s family are from.

Following his highly successful 17-year career with the Saints, Riewoldt made a seamless transition into the media, becoming a mainstay on Foxtel’s footy and entertainment coverage before moving to America with his wife and three sons.

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Last year AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder said Riewoldt had accepted his nomination to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but he decided not to make the trip back to Australia for the ceremony.

The AFL Commission said at the time he would be formally inducted in 2024.

But that didn’t happen. Collingwood’s Dane Swan was the most recently retired player to be inducted and there was no sign of Riewoldt.

Nick Riewoldt and wife Catherine. Picture: Mark Stewart

Veteran footy journalist Caroline Wilson said the AFL was disappointed Riewoldt didn’t extend a recent trip back to Australia to be at the Hall of Fame ceremony and accept his induction.

“The AFL were disappointed about that, despite saying they were fine with it,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday.

“What really disappointed them was the fact that Nick Riewoldt was in the country very recently, a few weeks ago, but chose not to remain, to be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

“We know he’s living in Texas at the moment, trying other career opportunities. That is absolutely fine with the AFL.

“But they expected Nick Riewoldt, and announced, that he was coming back to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

“They don’t give them out in Weeties packets.

“Nick Riewoldt went in Year 1 (that he was eligible) as did Jimmy Bartel, the same year. It was a great privilege.

“I can understand why the AFL were disappointed. They’re just wondering how long they’re going to have to wait for Nick Riewoldt.”

Riewoldt disputed claims the league was disappointed he missed the chance to be inducted, explaining he returned to America for family reasons.

“It’s pretty basic explanation,” Riewoldt told Footy Talk.

“It’s a huge honour obviously, the Hall of Fame, and it would have been great to have been there this year, especially with the man whose poster I had on my wall growing up — Jason Dunstall — going in as a legend.

“But pretty simply, I want my kids there when I do it and they weren’t able to make it out this year. They had stuff that was really important to them. One was playing all-star baseball, and one was on summer camp, which is a really big thing over here for kids – almost a rite of passage.

“When I do it, I would love to have my family with me. It was a non-event; the AFL were fine with it… that one came out of the blue from Caro.”

Nick Riewoldt is one of St Kilda’s greatest ever players. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Nick Riewoldt with his sons James, Will and Teddy

Riewoldt played 336 games for St Kilda, winning six club Best and Fairests and earning five-time All Australian honours.

The 41-year-old has appeared in ESPN’s coverage of the Super Bowl in recent years, making the most of his love of American sports.

“First and foremost, I am here as a fan and the fact we get to work here or at least call this something like work throughout the week has been absolutely remarkable,” Riewoldt said ahead of Kansas City’s win over the San Francisco 49ers in February.

Aussie NFL star Jordan Mailata experienced ultimate heartbreak when his Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Chiefs in last year’s Super Bowl, but said players have to embrace the occasion experience regardless of the result.

Riewoldt played in three grand finals but lost the 2009 decider to Geelong and suffered brutal defeat to Collingwood in the 2010 replay after the first grand final was drawn.

ESPN host Phil Murphy asked Riewoldt what he made of Mailata’s philosophical approach.

Murphy said: “I don’t mean to bring it up again, but the comparison of losing in a grand final — we’re not going to have a replay, we know that. We’re going to have overtime.”

Riewoldt replied: “I think it’s a really balanced approach from Jordan. The thing that resonated was that there can still be enjoyment from being on the greatest stage if you look back retrospectively.

Riewoldt was enjoying a strong media career at Fox Footy. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“The other part of that conversation is there are no guarantees that you get back there, for both of these teams out there today.

“I mean we’re talking about the possibility of a Kansas City dynasty over the next five years but there’s no guarantee you actually get back to the same stage again because they are just so hard to win your way into.”

Riewoldt is one of the best AFL players never to win a premiership and he said it’s a case of winning the trophy or bust.

“Highest leverage moments, they count for the most,” he said.

“Yes (you get a) small slice of enjoyment and satisfaction but ultimately it’s a binary win-loss scenario for the players.”

St Kilda haven’t won a premiership since 1966, the longest drought of any AFL team.

Originally published as AFL ‘disappointed’ by Nick Riewoldt’s second Hall of Fame no-show