A RETURN to Richmond's leadership group could be on the cards for Jack Riewoldt after an impressive pre-season showing by the star forward.
Riewoldt hasn't been a leader in an official capacity at Punt Road since he was left out of the leadership group before the 2014 season.
In his second stint with the club, former Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch, the assistant coach in charge of the Tigers' forward line, has been impressed with Riewoldt's influence over the summer months.
"He's been a great leader for us, Jack, he really drives the whole thing," Leppitsch told richmondfc.com.au on Monday.
"Particularly this year, he's taken a bigger role again because he's the most experienced (forward) and he's a really smart footballer.
"He's really well respected and an important player for us and a really important leader down there."
The Tigers lost a key on-field general with the departure of vice-captain Brett Deledio for Greater Western Sydney at last year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
Veteran ruckman Ivan Maric also appears likely to drop out of the leadership group after managing just three games last year, leaving Shane Edwards and Alex Rance as the only deputies to skipper Trent Cotchin.
Riewoldt, a Jack Dyer medallist and seven-time leading goalkicker, recently said he would be open to returning to the group.
"I'm putting my hand up to lead in whatever capacity the club needs me to do," Riewoldt told SEN.
"Whether that's in an official capacity (or not) I'm one of the oldest players now, I'll need to set the standards, and I feel like I set the standards pretty high."
Richmond is currently in the process of finalising its on-field leadership structure for the 2017 season.
In other news, tall forward Ben Griffiths has returned to full pre-season training after his 2016 season was ended prematurely by a groin injury after round 20.
"He's finally got back from his groin surgery," Leppitsch said.
"And it's good to have him out there because he's got an important role to play."
