Richmond star Jack Riewoldt has revealed a story about how cousin Nick nearly joined the yellow and black six weeks after his retirement in 2017.
Let's set the scene - it was the night of Jack's Tasmanian wedding on 27 August, 2017. Richmond had just defeated Adelaide in the grand final the previous month to end a 37-year premiership drought.
Having all been a few drinks in, Jack and ex-teammate Alex Rance convinced the St Kilda legend to play for the Tigers.
Speaking on Fox Footy Live, Jack even confirmed that Nick signed a contract on a napkin agreeing to the move.
“On the night of my wedding, myself, Alex Rance and Nick – it was probably the next morning – made a phone call to our list manager Blair Hartley about Nick actually coming on,” Jack said on Fox Footy Live.
“He was on board. He was deadset on board. It was in the wee hours where nothing else happens. He was confirmed. He actually signed a contract on a bit of a napkin with the details.”
Asked whether the story was true or not, Nick admitted that the trio all took part in a long voicemail to Hartley with a particularly strong pitch from Rance.
“It was a long voicemail (sent to Blair Hartley),” Nick told Fox Footy Live.
“It was about a six minute one. Blair would have woken up the next morning and listened to this voicemail.
“Jack had a turn and then I had a turn and then Rancey was my greatest advocate saying: ‘I played on him six weeks ago and he’s still in good form.’
“The pitch was really strong and I’m not sure how seriously it was taken. But in the moment, with a belly-full, I was considering it.”
