Triple AFL Premiership Player Jack Riewoldt entertained the large crowd at the Carbine Club Tasmania Luncheon on Friday October 30 – the first time the club was able to hold a public gathering since the COVID-19 restrictions prevented such events in March this year. The star Richmond Football Club forward was interviewed by Tasmania’s premier race caller and leading sports commentator Colin McNiff who has known Jack since his boyhood days.

The event was at the Blundstone Arena Function Centre at the famous Bellerive Oval, where Jack played most of his junior, senior and representative football. He recalled how as a youngster, he would wait outside the ground on his pushbike and make a quick getaway with a free Match-Day Sherrin football (or two) when the players would launch goals from the ground into the adjacent streets or park. His parents still live just a couple of hundred metres down from the ground, and his wife’s parents live a few hundred metres in the opposite direction in what he described as his triangle of life. He also spoke about his close relationship with cousin Nick Riewoldt, team mates ‘Dusty’ Martin, Tom Lynch and Trent Cochin as well as hub life in Queensland. He amused the audience with his explanation of how the strict hub restrictions could be ‘eased’ by players using the excuse that they were going fishing. It was amazing how many rods and reels you would see propped up in the local coffee shops and pubs!

Luncheon guests generously supported the fund-raising raffle and auction which featured framed Richmond jumpers and WEG 2020 Premiership posters. The Tigers fans in the room took the opportunity to get an autograph from or selfie with Jack who obligingly consented to all the requests.