Riewoldt, at 31 and in his 14th season, has led the Saints to two wins from three games this season and was one of their best in their loss to West Coast on Saturday night.
The skipper was mobbed on Tuesday at the Saints' junior football clinic in Seaford after his two-goal, eight-mark game against the Eagles.
Gwilt said Riewoldt's performance so far had not only inspired the team but his preparation off the field had positively influenced the bevy of young Saints.
"He's played 13 or 14 good years but I reckon it might be [his best start]," Gwilt said.
"He's leading from the front. He's a great captain, obviously, and he's having a really good year.
"It just shows with his preparation and training and the way he leads his day-to-day life, it's rubbing off on a few of the young boys, which is good.
"The fans don't see day to day what he does, but it's really good for the young boys who have come in this year to see the way he prepares with recovery, and his training is at an intensity that replicates the way he plays.
"He's a real pro. He's had the knee issues grumbling around for the last few years and he knows now what he needs to do to get up each week."
Things are looking up for the Saints on the injury front despite the loss of Sam Gilbert to a recurrence of the foot problem he had in the pre-season.
Gilbert will miss at least a month but reigning best and fairest winner Jack Steven and veteran Adam Schneider look set to play in the VFL this Sunday against Box Hill.
"It's good for us to get 'Stevo' back in the midfield with his run and carry and [for him to] kick a few goals," Gwilt said.
"I think you can see [what he brings] in the way he plays; his energy and intensity around the footy, and his run and carry, he's always there for handball receives and to break the lines and kick goals."
The backline has again taken a hit with the injury to Gilbert against the Eagles, and the continuing absence of Sam Fisher because of a hamstring/back problem.
But Fisher has been running and has ramped up his training, and looks set to return to the field in a week's time – likely through the VFL given his lack of a pre-season.
Gwilt said Gilbert was upbeat despite his setback and backed Tom Simpkin or Josh Bruce, who hasn't played seniors this season after being recruited from Greater Western Sydney, to replace him.
"He's in good spirits. It's not as bad as what he first thought," he said.
"It's disappointing for him but it gives someone else the opportunity to come in and play the role.
"Losing 'Gilbo' is going to be tough but a few of the young boys have been putting their hands up week after week at Sandy so hopefully one of them gets their chance."
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
