Nick Riewoldt
A St Kilda captain whose relentless aerial prowess and leadership redefined the modern key forward, setting the all-time mark for marks taken.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Australian rules footballer·Birthday: October 17·Millennials
Biography
Nick Riewoldt arrived at a struggling St Kilda Football Club as the number one draft pick in 2000, a gangly teenager from Queensland who would become the face of the franchise for a generation. His career was a study in sustained excellence and resilience, playing with a trademark aerobic capacity that saw him tirelessly lead up the ground. As captain for over a decade, he dragged the Saints to three grand final appearances, though ultimate premiership glory remained elusive. Beyond his leadership, his game was defined by an almost supernatural ability to read the flight of the ball, culminating in him breaking the VFL/AFL record for most career marks. His post-retirement move into media has shown the same sharp analysis and passion he displayed on the field.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nick was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Nick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as the first overall pick in the 2000 AFL draft.
- Captained the St Kilda Football Club from 2005 and again from 2007 to 2016.
- Named to the All-Australian team on five separate occasions.
- Holds the all-time VFL/AFL record for the most marks taken in a career.
Did You Know?
He was born in Tasmania but moved to Queensland as a child, playing his junior football there.
His sister, Madeleine Riewoldt, was also a talented athlete who played basketball for Australia.
He is a noted fan of American football and has appeared on NFL-related programming in Australia.
“You've got to be able to look yourself in the mirror and know you've given everything.”
