Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has expressed his appreciation of star spearhead Jack Riewoldt’s output this season.

Hardwick copped some criticism in the football media earlier this year for playing Riewoldt, at times, further out from goal. 

Riewoldt, however, clearly has exerted a significant influence in Richmond’s recent resurgence, with his intelligent play right across the team’s forward line.

The dual Coleman Medallist has kicked 48.32 for the season, is ranked No. 1 in the competition for marks inside 50, with 77 (seven ahead of Geelong’s Tom Hawkins), and also figures prominently in the score assists category.

“He’s had a fantastic year,” Hardwick said on 3AW.

“I know he probably hasn’t kicked as many goals as he would have liked, but he’s certainly had a lot of shots on goal.  More importantly, he’s set up a lot of teammates.

“So, his season’s been very good by our standards . . .

“He’s been playing exactly the same role.  Sometimes he goes deep, sometimes he’s up the ground. 

“It is a modern game and players are expected to go up and down the ground as required.”