Saints don't need me to fire: Riewoldt - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Saints don't need me to fire: Riewoldt

By Roger Vaughan 22/09/2009 07:31:29 PM Comments (0)

Captain Nick Riewoldt stresses he will be no more important than his St Kilda team-mates in the AFL grand final against Geelong.

The 10,000 fans who packed Moorabbin on Tuesday for the only open Saints training session this week would beg to differ.

Riewoldt was the centre of attention, particularly given he did a lot of sprints along the boundary, away from the rest of the team.

He moved well, despite the well-documented knee problem that continues to dog him.

Riewoldt has starred so far this finals series and the consensus among the pundits is that if he fires again, it could prove the difference.

Cats coach Mark Thompson was asked on the weekend what might make the difference between the two teams.

His reply, only with half a grin, was seven or eight goals from Riewoldt.

But Riewoldt will hear nothing of such talk.

"That's your opinion and the media's opinion - we know internally that it requires all 22 of us to go out and play our role for the team," he said.

"I've had plenty of quiet games this year and the team has still got up and won ... there were seven of us who didn't go down to Tasmania and play the reigning premiers, we still played well and won down there.

"I don't read the paper, I don't watch TV and I don't listen to the radio."

The Western Bulldogs clearly targetted Riewoldt with physical pressure in Friday night's preliminary final, but he still rallied in the second half with four goals.

He expects more of the same from the mean Cats defence.

Riewoldt also is confident his knee will withstand the grand final rigours.

"It (the attention) has happened all year and it happens to everyone who crosses the line, so I'd expect nothing else from Geelong, they're a great team and we certainly respect them," Riewoldt said.

"The knee is fine, I will have a run around today ... we'll treat this like a normal week with my preparation, just like the rest of the team.

Riewoldt would be only the second player in the club's history, after the legendary Darrel "Doc" Baldock, to accept the premiership cup if the Saints win.

He admits to considering that glorious possibility, but not for long.

"I've thought about it, but every time my mind strays into that sort of atmosphere, I have to bring it back pretty quickly and just focus on my preparation and that's the same for everyone in my team," he said.

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