“There is no question; he is the most selfless player in the competition.”

That’s how 2005 Sydney premiership coach and now respected football commentator Paul Roos described star Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt on Fox Footy’s ‘On The Couch’ program earlier this week.

Roos heaped praise on Riewoldt for the way he had transformed his game in recent years to become the ultimate team-oriented player.

As the Tigers’ sole tall forward, Riewoldt’s role largely revolves around providing opportunities for the team’s dangerous ‘mosquito fleet’ – Daniel Butler, Jason Castagna and Daniel Rioli – albeit he’s still kicking his fair share of goals (30 so far this season, just five behind Coleman Medal leader, North Melbourne’s Ben Brown).

Riewoldt has played a huge part in shaping Richmond’s forward line into a damaging, unpredictable, unconventional unit that creates major problems for opposition defences. And that’s something Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick is extremely keen to acknowledge.

“He’s an incredible leader of our club,” Hardwick said.

“I’m really impressed by the way he goes about it.

“He brings the ball to ground and you see all our players pat him on the back. He doesn’t get a kick, mark or handball for it, but certainly gets a big pat on the back from us . . .

“The one thing we do within our four walls is give him the credit he deserves.

“He’s very much on our highlights tape, creating contest through his jumping and getting the ball to ground for those little players.

“That’s what we’re rating his game on, that’s why he’s such an important player for us, and that’s why he’d be very high in our Best and Fairest at this stage.

“He’s had an incredible season.”