Jack Riewoldt Reveals How He Found His Way Back Into The Leadership Group

(Image: Getty)

Newly-appointed Richmond vice-captain Jack Riewoldt believes his three-year absence from the club's leadership group has helped him become a better leader.

The full-forward was dropped from the leadership panel ahead of the 2014 season, but joined skipper Trent Cotchin and fellow vice-captain Alex Rance in a streamlined group announced on Friday.

Riewoldt topped the club's goal-kicking list in each of those three years and was an All Australian in 2015, while also maturing as a person and a player.

"I'm extremely grateful for the feedback that I received over that period when I was outside the leadership group," Riewoldt said on Sunday.

"It's not only turned me into a better leader but also a better footballer and a better clubman.

"You don't want to take a backward step but in my case I think I had to take that backward step to take three or four steps forward.

"I've taken those steps now (but) there's still more to go and I want to become a better leader."

Shane Edwards and Ivan Maric didn't continue in the leadership group from last year, while fellow member Brett Deledio was traded to Greater Western Sydney.

Cotchin will captain the club for a fifth season.

The 26-year-old also went through a period of reflection after he copped plenty of criticism for his leadership style during the Tigers' disappointing 2016 season.

"On the back of last year I sat down on my own and with some mentors and worked through how I felt the season went," he said.

"Also what changes I needed to make whether that was playing or leading.

"But the reality is you don't change - you're voted in by your peers for a reason and that gives me a lot of confidence to lead the playing group.

"No one's perfect, we all have areas that we can work on, and I'm constantly trying to do that."

Richmond's players were presented with their guernsey's at an open training session at Punt Road on Sunday.

Riewoldt told the crowd that third-year forward Dan Butler will make his AFL debut against Carlton on Thursday night.

- AAP