Nick Riewoldt to honour sister Maddie in 300th AFL game

ST KILDA skipper Nick Riewoldt says his late sister Maddie will be at the forefront of his mind when he runs out for his 300th AFL game. WATCH THE SAINTS’ EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE VIDEO

ST KILDA skipper Nick Riewoldt says his late sister Maddie will be the only thing missing when he becomes the fifth Saint to play 300 AFL games on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old’s milestone match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium will coincide with a fundraiser for Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision, the foundation named in honour of his sister, which has already raised almost $1 million.

Riewoldt said not a single day goes by without him thinking of Maddie, who passed away in February last year.

He has pledged much of his life after football to working with his family and the foundation to help chase a cure for bone marrow failure and to help those with Aplastic Anemia.

“Maddie is the only thing that will be missing from Saturday night as far as I’m concerned,” Riewoldt said.

“So to be able to pay tribute to her and honour her legacy and raise some money for bone marrow failure syndrome … it’s a great thing to be able to do while we celebrate my 300th.

Riewoldt was joined by Bulldogs captain Robert Murphy, his wife Catherine, his son James, and other members of his family at the launch of the fundraising match, from which $5 from every adult ticket purchased will go to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision.

“There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about Maddie and how great it would be if she was here and able to do this herself,” he said.

“But in lieu of her not being able to do it, that’s what we’re doing as a family.

“Hopefully, we can find a cure, so that other families don’t have to go through what Maddie did.”

Nick Riewoldt and Western Bulldogs captain Robert Murphy launch Maddie’s Match with Nick’s wife Catherine and son James. Picture: Jason Edwards

The money already raised has helped to fund medical research projects, including the world’s first National Aplastic Anemia Registry, as well as a number of grants to be allocated.

Riewoldt said he could barely believe how fast his career had taken him to 300 games.

“I remember my first year was when ‘Stewie’ Loewe and Nathan Burke played their 300th games,” he said.

“I remember thinking at the time they were great St Kilda people ... and old.

“I certainly don’t feel old. I am really honoured (to reach 300 games), especially considering the calibre of players who have already achieved that for St Kilda.”

Riewoldt played with three of the four Saints to have pushed beyond 300 games — Loewe, Burke and Robert Harvey — and he knows how famous the other player was (Barry Breen) for his kicking one of the most famous behinds in football in the 1966 Grand Final.

He said St Kilda was hoping to track the Bulldogs in terms of their rise up the ladder after a rebuild.

“They probably surprised a lot of people last year with all the turmoil in the pre-season — the way they were able to come together as a group with a collective aim and have a great year,” he said. “It gives teams like us who have gone through a similar rebuild real hope.”

Riewoldt said Paddy McCartin would press his case for selection this week after a strong performance in the VFL last week.

“He will certainly come into calculations. His form has really been building.”

Originally published as Nick Riewoldt to honour sister Maddie in 300th AFL game