Riewoldt whacked the back of his head on the ground after flying in a marking contest with St Kilda defenders Zac Dawson and Raphael Clarke, but the Tigers gave their star forward every opportunity to prove his fitness before subbing him off for Brad Helbig at the eight-minute mark of the second term.
Last year's Coleman medallist did everything he could to convince the Tigers' medical staff he was right to return to the game after emerging from the rooms at quarter time for a run.
He rotated between the rooms and the bench early in the second before a decision was finally made.
He was furious when told he had been deemed unfit to return to the bench and was captured on Channel Seven's telecast remonstrating with Richmond's medical staff.
Riewoldt was overheard pleading to the Tigers' coaching staff not to sub him out of the game as he was walked off the ground with the aid of two trainers.
More to follow.
