ALAN Richardson has left the door ajar for Nick Riewoldt to skipper the Saints next season, although a final decision will not be made until the 298-game veteran returns from the USA in two months.

Riewoldt has been captain for nine seasons dating back to 2005 under Grant Thomas. The following year, Luke Ball replaced him, before the pair were joined by Lenny Hayes to form a captaincy trio in Ross Lyon’s first year in charge.

Since 2008, Riewoldt has been St Kilda’s solitary leader and has now captained the fifth most games in VFL/AFL history. Of his 199 games as captain, 20 were as co-captain.

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Should he retain the position in 2016, he will captain the Saints for the 200th time in round one and more than likely surpass Michael Voss (210 games) and Ted Whitten (212) during the season.

“I had a quick chat to Roo before he went away and it’s another conversation we will have when he gets back,” Alan Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.

“It’s about what is best for the footy club going forward and it may be that it is Rooey again.”

Regardless of what the outcome is, Richardson confirmed the decision will be a joint one between the club and its star player.

“Roo was as strong in the viewpoint as I am, in that if we think it’s time for someone else to come through and to be the captain, then we think that could and might happen,” he said.

“We’ll make the right call for the footy club with Rooey’s blessings. He knows that he will still be a really strong leader irrespective of whether he has the title. We’ll work through that when everyone is back on deck.”

St Kilda’s leadership group this year was headed by Riewoldt but also consisted of Sean Dempster, David Armitage, Leigh Montagna, Jarryn Geary and newcomers Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller.

Geary skippered the club in Riewoldt’s absence on two occasions, while Armitage took the reins three times.

Most games as captain for St Kilda:

  1. Nick Riewoldt: 199
  2. Danny Frawley: 177
  3. Darrel Baldock: 104
  4. Bill Cubbins: 87
  5. Neil Roberts: 86
  6. Nathan Burke: 83
  7. Keith Drinan: 73

Most games as captain in VFL/AFL history:

  1. Stephen Kernahan (Car): 226
  2. Dick Reynolds (Ess): 224
  3. Ted Whitten (Foots): 212
  4. Michael Voss (Bris): 210
  5. Nick Riewoldt (STK): 199
  6. John Nicholls (Car): 188
  7. Wayne Carey (NM): 184
  8. Paul Kelly (Syd): 182
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“It was always going to be a learning year for Paddy. History shows that tall forwards take a while." Alan Richardson.STORY: http://stk.lt/1Lr1Lz2

Posted by St Kilda Football Club on Monday, 21 September 2015