Article - Nick Riewoldt to be the best in 2003

[vergs]

Nick Riewoldt to be best player in 2003
29 December 2002 Sunday Herald Sun
By DAMIAN BARRETT

AS NEW Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley recently told this newspaper: "Some say he is the next big thing. He is probably nearly the biggest already. It looks like, as an outsider, that he is going to lead that club (St Kilda) out of the wilderness. That's the way he comes across to me."

St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt played all 22 matches this year after a knee injury restricted him to six in his debut 2001 season. He became more influential as the year wore on, with his six goals in a losing team against Melbourne in Round 22 one of his many highlights.

For a few years now, the competition has wanted Brad Ottens to take the step from "next big thing" to "big thing". He hasn't. Riewoldt has not only passed him, but has shot a couple of lengths clear.

On entering the 2003 season, Riewoldt's status and standing is inferior to very few players. Give him another 22 matches (and possibly finals) and he will likely be at the very top.

He's all class and has that certain something about him that all the greats possess.

Is it too big a call to say he is the next Carey? Maybe. Maybe not.

 

[knuckles]

I thought J Brown was the next King. Before that Whitnall. Before that Aaron James

Setting the guy up for a big fall. Saints should throw a media ban on him. Won't stop Laidley type comments though.

 

[MightySaint]

A lot of this stuff should be ignored. Just fluff pieces filling in for a lack of real footy news. Can't wait for the pre-season matches to start.

 

[FIGJAM]

Originally posted by knuckles
I thought J Brown was the next King. Before that Whitnall. Before that Aaron James

Good point Knuckles, but I personally think he is clearly in another class to Brown or Whitnall (maybe James).

 

[Lockyer24]

Riewoldt toss thread #276354363453

 

[Savatage]

What a stupid, pointless article.

When there's nothing to say in the off-season, just leave it blank for ****'s sake.

 

[Mead]

This is such crap.

Noone would deny that Reiwoldt had a bloody impressive 2002, but thats all it was- one season. Yes he seems destined for good things, but at this point, anything could happen. Rating guys as the next big thing (tm) is always going to be a bit iffy- there's been guys who had awe inspiring rookie year and then faded into obscurity.

Besides, everyone knows that Chris Judd is going to be the Next Big Thing (tm)

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by knuckles
I thought J Brown was the next King. Before that Whitnall. Before that Aaron James

Setting the guy up for a big fall. Saints should throw a media ban on him. Won't stop Laidley type comments though.

Or those from anyone else, either. The hype is there, and will continue to come from other sources, regardless.

Nick Riewoldt is a special individual talent. And whether that can translate into the Saints building well into a finals contender, that remains to be seen-- and yes, it is dependant upon Riewoldt duplicating his 2002 success, and inspiring his teammates as well.

Cheers,
William

 

[Savatage]

Originally posted by you_idiot
and yes, it is dependant upon Riewoldt duplicating his 2002 success, and inspiring his teammates as well.

Oh no it's not. Riewoldt is 1/22nd of the on field football team.

It all depends on 22 players pulling in the same direction, that's what makes it a team effort. Whether that happens remains to be seen & if it does come to fruition then St.Kilda will have a good season hopefully.

That's also stating the obvious, further illustrating a dodgy, pointless article.

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by Savatage
Oh no it's not. Riewoldt is 1/22nd of the on field football team.

It all depends on 22 players pulling in the same direction, that's what makes it a team effort. Whether that happens remains to be seen & if it does come to fruition then St.Kilda will have a good season hopefully.

I understand what you mean by the overall "team effort" angle-- however, IMHO, any marked or significant drop-off in performance by Riewoldt is going to affect the Saints on the field and perhaps in the dressing room as well, and therefore hamper the probability of them making the eight at season's end.

But generally, you are right-- 22 players working together. But if Riewoldt continues to play like a gun, that'll make the efforts all the much easier.

Cheers,
William

 

[Spidergirl~RiCkChiCk]

Too much pressure on poor Nick's shoulders now you would hate for him to underperform!

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by Spidergirl~RiCkChiCk
Too much pressure on poor Nick's shoulders now you would hate for him to underperform!

It is a lot of pressure, indeed, Spidey, for a player entering his second full professional season at the top level.

However, having said what I've said before, I'm willing to hedge my bets and say that Riewoldt will continue from his dazzling 2002 form. Whether his Saints teammates lift their games around him remains to be seen-- but no worries about Riewoldt, who is a pleasure to watch.

Cheers,
William

 

[JMAC5]

Just some help for Saints fans, everyone thinks he is a gun you don't need to continually tell us

 

[Fraser]

Chris Judd and Justin Koschitzke will be just as good. How about giving us training updates and summer camps in the paper instead of these pointless articles.

 

[Spidergirl~RiCkChiCk]

Originally posted by you_idiot
It is a lot of pressure, indeed, Spidey, for a player entering his second full professional season at the top level.

However, having said what I've said before, I'm willing to hedge my bets and say that Riewoldt will continue from his dazzling 2002 form. Whether his Saints teammates lift their games around him remains to be seen-- but no worries about Riewoldt, who is a pleasure to watch.

Cheers,
William

Nick has told me he is not a fan of the media circus. Feel sorry for him that they've gotten to him so early!

 

[you_idiot]

Originally posted by Spidergirl~RiCkChiCk
Nick has told me he is not a fan of the media circus. Feel sorry for him that they've gotten to him so early!

Being a member of the sporting press myself, Spidey, I realise that the exposure can be a double-edged sword for the players. They can use it either to their benefit, or to their detriment. Unfortunately, it is something they cannot avoid.

But then again, being able to deal with the press is part and parcel of having to be a professional football player, or any other part of the public eye, for that matter.

I feel sorry for Nick, too, in the manner that you describe it-- but there's really very little he can do about it, in all reality...

Cheers,
William

 

[Whitey]

Noone would deny that Reiwoldt had a bloody impressive 2002, but thats all it was- one season. Yes he seems destined for good things, but at this point, anything could happen. Rating guys as the next big thing (tm) is always going to be a bit iffy- there's been guys who had awe inspiring rookie year and then faded into obscurity.

Exactly! It is hardly fair to proclaim him the next champion from one season alone. Players like Judd who played in better teams and performed well are just as good as Riewoldt. In my opinion Riewoldt is greatly overrated at this point. He is playing in a St. Kilda team, which, lets be honest, was pretty pathetic. Until he performs against the top teams, in a stronger st. kilda outfit he's not even a "great player", not yet! A good player with a huge potential, yes.

 

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by vergs
Nick Riewoldt to be best player in 2003
29 December 2002 Sunday Herald Sun
By DAMIAN BARRETT

For a few years now, the competition has wanted Brad Ottens to take the step from "next big thing" to "big thing". He hasn't. Riewoldt has not only passed him, but has shot a couple of lengths clear.

Quite revealing use of language there - the competiton wants a player to become the big thing and marketable commodity. I think the AFL and the major media outlets are obsessing about Riewoldt being the big thing in AFL because they see the need for a bonafide superstar to be on the scene this year to offset the many problems the competiton is facing.

Hence, this pointless articles is produced.

 

[myee8]

Well we play them round 1 in 2003 so we shall see whether he will be the next best thing. Bring on Wells!

 

[Falchoon]

Originally posted by myee8
Well we play them round 1 in 2003 so we shall see whether he will be the next best thing. Bring on Wells!

Bring on Goddard

he is rated better than Wells?

Bring on Ball

He is rated better than Goddard?

Bring on Kosi

 

[myee8]

Originally posted by Falchoon
Bring on Goddard

he is rated better than Wells?

Bring on Ball

He is rated better than Goddard?

Bring on Kosi

Ahhh you MIGHT be true, but regardless remember without the actions of a certain club we would have never got Wells or Goddard!