AFL star hits out at reporter in public Twitter feud
Jack Riewoldt is well-known for his love/hate relationship with Melbourne’s AFL media, but the Richmond Tigers star has taken things to a new level.
The star forward suffered a PCL injury in Wednesday night’s Anzac Day Eve win over Melbourne, but the full extent of the injury wasn’t confirmed until Friday afternoon.
Channel 7 AFL reporter Tom Browne took to Twitter at midday on Friday, reporting that Riewoldt had undergone scans on his right knee, and would likely avoid surgery.
Riewoldt must have been checking the app regularly on Friday afternoon, firing off a terse reply to Browne, claiming the reporter was “guessing” about the scan.
. @7NewsMelbourne @mmmhotbreakfast @triplemfooty potentially positive news for tigers star @JackRiewoldt08 , believe he has had scans, and significantly avoided the need for surgery. I don’t know exact timeframe yet, latest 445 this afternoon
— Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) April 26, 2019
“‘Potentially” “Believe” “I don’t know” Tom please start your tweet with “I am guessing…” At least it would be true,” the Tigers star wrote in response.
Browne responded to the star claiming he had ‘reliable sources up my sleeve’.
Riewoldt was having absolutely none of it.
“Tom it couldn’t have been true,” he wrote.
“You posted your so called information from a source at midday today and I didn’t have a scan until 3.30pm.
“You’ve either got the ability to time travel or you guessed.”
Tom it couldn’t have been true. You posted your so called information from a source at midday today and I didn’t have a scan until 3.30pm. You’ve either got the ability to time travel or you guessed….
— JR8 (@JackRiewoldt08) April 26, 2019
Making matters worse for Browne, a number of other AFL stars saw the funny side of the exchange.
Luke Hodge and Patrick Dangerfield, both not shy when it comes to dealing with the media, decided to have some fun with the situation.
😂😂😂
— Luke Hodge (@LHodge15) April 26, 2019
Oh Tom.. pic.twitter.com/gVM4n8PoRY
— Patrick Dangerfield (@dangerfield35) April 26, 2019
Riewoldt ruled out
Despite the dispute over the timing of Browne’s report, he was ultimately proved right.
Riewoldt avoided the need for surgery, but will miss up to eight weeks of footy to recover from the injury.
“Scans have revealed Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt has a high-grade PCL injury to his right knee,” a statement on the club’s website read.
“Riewoldt will not require surgery but is expected to be unavailable for selection for six to eight weeks.”
The star forward had earlier missed time due to a broken wrist and knee injury suffered back in round two.
The Tigers have spent much of the first third of the season licking their wounds, having lost key defender Alex Rance for the season and skipper Trent Cotchin with a hamstring.
WITH AAP
