WHEN Nick Riewoldt leads 21 teammates through the banner at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, he will become St Kilda’s longest serving captain, breaking Danny Frawley’s record of 177 games.

Needless to say, the achievement is monumental, especially considering the way Riewoldt plays the game and how many terrific leaders he has taken the field with.

Any one of Luke Ball, Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard, Nick Dal Santo or Leigh Montagna would have been well equipped to lead an AFL club, and many of them have, but not to the level or the duration that Riewoldt has.

“I’m happy to hand the baton over to Nick,” Frawley told SAINTS.com.au.

“He’s been an outstanding player right from when he won the Rising Star award in his first full year of footy. His record will stack up with all the greats of St Kilda Footy Club and the greats of our game.”


Frawley before his 177th and final game as captain of the Saints. This was also the last game of his career.

VIDEO: Riewoldt post Rd 18 win

Riewoldt’s captaincy began in infamous fashion, injuring his collarbone in a 23-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba in the opening round of 2005.

The all-conquering Lions were coming off four straight Grand Finals and were determined to bring down the Saints 22-year-old leader.

It took Riewoldt six weeks to get back on the park, and since then he’s been widely admired as the finest captain in the AFL, both officially and unofficially. The fact he was named captain of the All-Australian team in 2009 is testament to his lofty reputation.

“He’s really grown into the leadership role and a couple of weeks ago against Fremantle he was yet again the best player on the ground against players that are mostly younger than him. He leads from the front that’s for sure,” Frawley said.

Of Riewoldt’s 40 teammates who have run out for the Saints this season, 36 have never been captained by anyone else while at the club. Only Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Sam Fisher and James Gwilt know what it is like to run out behind anything other than the famous number 12 guernsey.

The coach who appointed Riewoldt in the first place, as part of a rotation system that included Lenny Hayes (2004) and Luke Ball (2006), was Grant Thomas.


Grant Thomas instructs Aaron Hamill, Fraser Gherig and a young Riewoldt on the training track.