Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has defended St Kilda veteran Nick Riewoldt for his controversial method to milk a 50m penalty, saying the fault lies squarely on the shoulders of first-year Docker Griffin Logue.
Riewoldt has been widely criticised after tricking Logue into throwing the ball to him during a crucial stage of the last quarter in St Kilda's nine-point win over Fremantle .
Tim Membrey had just been awarded a mark 40m out from goal, and Logue needed to throw the ball back to the St Kilda forward.
But Logue threw it to Riewoldt instead after the former Saints skipper gestured for the ball.
Riewoldt then cunningly moved out of the way as the ball came towards him, with the umpire left with no choice but to award a 50m penalty because the ball didn't go back to Membrey on the full.
Membrey kicked the goal to put the Saints two points ahead
Ironically, Logue grew up idolising Riewoldt, naming the Saint as his all-time favourite player.
Riewoldt has been accused of being a bad sportsman in the wake of the incident.
But Lyon, who has a close friendship with Riewoldt stemming from their time together at St Kilda, said the 330-game veteran didn't do anything wrong.
"I didn't think much about Nick. I thought it was professional," Lyon said.
"I thought a fair bit about Griffin - he needs to sharpen up and understand the rules, and become a pro.
"Stay aware, understand where the ball's got to get back to. Because they're the rules.
"That's being a professional at your craft. He's got to return the ball (to the right player) on the full."
Dockers midfielder Michael Walters described Riewoldt's trickery as smart, and said he might even try it in Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Share
