AFTER having largely fulfilled the same function in his 16 years as an AFL player, assuming a new role on a wing was a fresh change for St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt.
Since being drafted with the first overall pick in 2000, Riewoldt has long been the Saint the club relied upon. He had plenty of outstanding teammates, but Riewoldt was so influential in taking the Saints to a Grand Final in 2009 and 2010.
At the age of 33, the circumstances have changed. While he remains well in contention to extend his club record with a seventh best and fairest, spending more time in the midfield has diminished the reliance the Saints have on Riewoldt kicking goals.
Changing it up has reinvigorated the man himself.
"It's a new challenge. When you've played so long in the one position, maybe you can get a little bit stale," Riewoldt told AFL.com.au.
"The challenge to learn something new and learn a new craft and change your body type to play a different position was all really exciting."
The altered body type he referred to was the five kilograms he lost in the pre-season to help improve his already awesome running power.
Despite moving to a different part of the ground, Riewoldt has continued to hit the scoreboard. He has 27 goals for the season, behind Tim Membrey (34) and Josh Bruce (29).
Bruce, Membrey and Paddy McCartin have also been surrounded by three small forwards, with Riewoldt making only occasional ventures into the attacking 50.
With Riewoldt having reduced the amount of time he spends in the vicinity of the big sticks, that group has matured.
Nick Riewoldt believes Maverick Weller could be a good fit as captain. Picture: Justine Walker
"They're taking a lot more leadership within the forward line," he said.
"(The) guys are more vocal within the game. Sometimes it takes a senior player to step out for those young guys to really step up."
The five-time All Australian has been required in front of goal more often since McCartin went down with his third concussion of the season, which he suffered against Gold Coast in round 15.
McCartin has sat out of football since, with St Kilda taking a conservative approach with their 2014 No.1 draft pick.
Despite having had his own experiences with concussion multiple times throughout his career – most recently in round three versus Collingwood this season – Riewoldt said there was only so much advice he could pass on to McCartin.
"Our cases have been totally different. All you can do is offer support as a teammate," Riewoldt said.
The question of who receives the leadership mantle that Riewoldt has held for 11 seasons in total is uncertain as yet. He nominated Jack Steven, Jarryn Geary, Maverick Weller and Jack Newnes as candidates.
Steven certainly has the on-field credentials. A dual club champion and in career-best form, he was skipper in the win against Carlton.
The 26-year-old was introduced into the leadership group earlier this season after those players, along with coach Alan Richardson and football manager Jamie Cox, decided Steven should be part of it.
The midfielder needed some convincing to assume that responsibility but Riewoldt said Steven had since thrived.
"He's quiet by nature, so that's been an area where he's had to do a bit of work," Riewoldt said.
"He's been really strong in his leadership this year (and) shown a lot of growth.
"He had the opportunity against Carlton when I didn't play to lead the group. He spoke really well and performed really strongly. He's got all the tools to be able to do it."
