Jack Riewoldt lifts the lid on brutal Scott Pendlebury sledge
Tigers star Jack Riewoldt has revealed the cheeky sledge aimed at him after he shanked a straight forward kick short of the goal posts in Thursday night’s AFL restart against Collingwood.
AFL heavyweights Collingwood and Richmond played out their first draw in more than 100 years as football made a welcome return at the MCG.
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Jack Riewoldt had a late chance to snatch victory for the Tigers but could not convert his late shot in the final term.
Riewoldt was 30m out and on an angle, but unfortunately for the Tigers his kick fell short and Collingwood big man Darcy Cameron took a mark on the goal line.
Now, the Tigers star has revealed rival Scott Pendlebury had a sly dig at him following the shanked kick.
After setting up their defence to stop a Collingwood attack, Riewoldt said Pendlebury couldn’t help sledge him over the effort.
“I had a bit of a chuckle. Scott Pendlebury was on the mark and he ribbed me straight away,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“He goes: ‘Those hips are gone, you’re getting a bit old.’
“It was disappointing to not kick the goal … it was a pretty weird night.”
Riewoldt explained to the show that his technique let him down for the crucial shot.
“I was so focused on dropping the ball well – which I did – and then I just forgot to kick it,” he added.
‘Hollow feeling’: Magpies coach reveals
Following the encounter, Magpies coach Nathan Buckley revealed the strange feeling of a draw in front of an empty stadium.
"Draws are a hollow feeling at the best of times but draws in front of no crowd is an interesting feeling," Buckley said.
Richmond counterpart Damien Hardwick agreed it was one of the most-bizarre matches he has been a part of.
"It was different," Hardwick said, adding it would take time for players to adjust after a compromised preparation for the season restart amid ongoing coronavirus protocols.
"The guys aren't where they're at when they come back from a pre-season for round one.
"The dew was an enormous factor tonight; the ground was incredibly wet. It was a difficult game."
