North Hobart coach Adam Bester confident he has options to limit impact of Jack Riewoldt in his TSL return

North Hobart coach Adam Bester is confident he has plenty of options to limit the impact of Jack Riewoldt in their clash against Clarence on Saturday. See the players who may get the job.

North Hobart coach Adam Bester will have to contend with former AFL star Jack Riewoldt when they face Clarence on Saturday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

North Hobart coach Adam Bester is confident he has plenty of options to limit the impact of former Richmond AFL premiership star Jack Riewoldt in their clash against Clarence on Saturday.

Fresh off their first win of 2024, the Demons will be the second side this season that has to contend with the three-time Coleman Medallist inside 50.

Riewoldt returned to the Roos’ back in round 8 against Lauderdale, kicking three goals in the 43-point win and providing plenty inside 50 on a cold Friday night in May.

But while the prospect of coming up against a man of such talent would give most coaches headaches, Bester believes he has a number of players that would relish the chance to match-up on the 35 year-old.

“David Monks did a good job last week on Cody Thorp, so he can go back,” Bester said.

“Austin Keeling can play defence, Nathan Janes showed some (good) signs before Charlie Meadows went out that he could play centre half-back, so we have some options.

David Monks (back) may be one player that gets sent to Riewoldt in Saturday’s match. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Hopefully their (Clarence) sole focus is to hit Jack up and we can try to nullify that, but they’ve got a great forward line. They’ve got so many avenues to goal and every one of them is a dangerous player. We’re going to have our work cut out, that’s for sure.

“But I think it stems down to our forward half being able to put an enormous amount of pressure on Clarence as they go forward to create those turnovers.

“He (Riewoldt) presents a great challenge, but it’s a great opportunity for our players to play against a 300-game AFL superstar. To be able to get out there and rub shoulders with him, I’m sure they’ll learn a lot.”

After starting the season 0-10, Bester’s side finally broke through for their first win last weekend with a seven-point victory over Launceston.

And with the weight of expectation now somewhat alleviated, and the return of Riewoldt into Clarence’s outfit, he believes all the pressure now sits with the Roos’ to secure a win in Saturday’s contest.

“I think now we can come into this week against Clarence and the boys can play with a bit of freedom,” he said.

“The pressure is off, we’ve got a win under our belt and certainly the pressure is going to be on Clarence.

“They’re obviously going to go in as raging hot favourites and our players are going to be up for the challenge. They’ll really just go out there and play with some freedom and really focus on what we want to try to improve and continue to work on that.”

North will welcome back Jonty Barwick, Charlie Meadows and Jake Dixon for the clash while Clarence vice-captain James Holmes returns from illness.

First-bounce on Saturday is at 1.30pm.