Star Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt is continuing to adapt his body to meet the changing demands of AFL football.

Speaking at the Club’s opening training session at Punt Road Oval on Sunday morning, Riewoldt quashed speculation he had lost weight over the pre-season.  

“I’m actually (weighing) around about what I was last year,” Riewoldt said.

“Two years ago, I had a bit of a shift in body weight change. That was a focus of mine, and I know a lot of the other guys are going along that line as well.

“I think it’s due to the fact training has got a lot harder than what it was. The shift in AFL over the last decade has been a fairly large one, and our bodies have had to adapt to that.

“Long gone are the big key forwards. We’ve still got a couple in the game that really dominate, but long gone are the days of the stay-at-home key forward.

“It’s about team defence and team offence these days, and you’ve got to be able to run.”

The Tigers had a 90-minute training run in front of supporters on Sunday, in preparation for their third, and final, NAB Challenge match against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.

It will be Riewoldt’s second hit-out for the year, and he anticipates lining up against a tough Power outfit.

“We’re really excited about coming up against a side that I suppose has had a little bit of a disappointing (season) last year in Port Adelaide,” he said.

“But we know that they have the ability to be a powerhouse in the competition and they’ve added well to their squad, obviously with Charlie Dixon. So it’s going to be a really big test for us under the Etihad roof on Thursday night.”