RICHMOND spearhead Jack Riewoldt's demonstrative on-field personality might continue to draw criticism but it has helped make him a club leader, former teammate Matthew Richardson says.

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Casting his eye over Riewoldt's game in this week's edition of The Whiteboard, Richardson says Riewoldt's willingness to express himself on and off the field is helping the Tigers become a better team.

"When talking about Jack Riewoldt one thing that always comes up is the way that he expresses himself out on the football field," Richardson says.

"He has got a very vibrant personality and sometimes people, I believe, have judged him wrongly on that. It's something that when he came into the game as a young player people saw it as a negative, [but] I think it's a huge positive in his game.

"He is a good leader out on the field as well. He does express himself a lot … he's always pointing and directing other teammates where to run. He is a natural forward, he knows how to set up the forward line very well."

Riewoldt continues a rich lineage of star Tasmanian key forwards at Richmond that has included Richardson, himself, Michael Roach and Royce Hart.

In The Whiteboard, Richardson also looks at Riewoldt's improved second efforts and tackling, his set-shot goalkicking, his positive influence around Richmond and his liking for an on-field 'chat' with opponents.