THE enormity of the role bestowed upon him is not lost on Nick Riddle.
Just days before his 21st birthday, Collingwood’s VFL coach Dale Tapping rang Riddle with the news that he and Jack Hellier would co-captain the VFL Magpies during 2013.
With Kris Pendlebury, the Collingwood captain the previous three seasons, deciding to move to Werribee, the captaincy position was vacant, but Riddle didn’t view himself as a candidate.
“Kris was a big loss. I’ve taken on his responsibilities down back and then to be made co-captain with Jack Hellier was something I didn’t expect,” Riddle said.
“It was a very good surprise. It’s a bit strange; I’ve never captained any side at any level. I find it challenging in a good way.
“I look forward to developing my leadership, it’s an area I definitely need to work on.”
If it’s not daunting enough for a 20-year-old to be playing alongside dual AFL premiership player Darren Jolly as well as other premiership stars Luke Ball, Alan Didak and Dale Thomas, to captain a team with those above-mentioned players takes it to a whole new level.
Riddle described as a “bit weird” captaining such greats of the game.
“I definitely didn’t give any of them a spray,” laughed Riddle.
“Credit to them all. They’ve all come back and played their role for the team and offered a lot of on field leadership.
“They’ve all bought into the team and made my job a lot easier.”
Collingwood has started this season far more competitively than last season and its first three losses ranged from six to 13-points.
“We have been thereabouts, we just need to play four quarters and finish off our games,” Riddle said.
“We have been in all games so it’s been disappointing that we have not been able to win them.
“We have some big games coming up so we need to put together a four quarter game.”
Riddle reflected back to the pre-season of the 2012 season where he hoped to get the opportunity to play the occasional game with Collingwood’s VFL club when he was invited to train.
He knew that Collingwood players took priority over all VFL listed players. It was something that sat comfortably him.
Nothing much changed in his mindset when Riddle received the call-up to play in Round 4 against Northern Blues.
Not only did Riddle acquit himself well, but he held his spot for all the remaining games.
Riddle was keen to continue the association in 2013, but not even in his wildest dreams did he expect what was to unfold.
“It’s been massive,” Riddle said.
Photo: Shane Barrie
Last Modified on 29/05/2013 14:37