Richmond Tigers fans have once again been sent into a frenzy after the club’s star forward Jack Riewoldt managed to pull off possibly one of the longest running ‘trolls’ in history.
The cheeky sportsman alluded to an 11-year-long joke on Tuesday, posting to Instagram evidence of his commitment to a gag he originally made as a 17-year-old.
In a victory shot alongside his ecstatic team mates after a grand final win with the Clarence Football Club in Tasmania, Riewoldt can be seen making an obscure hand gesture.
The signal, where a thumb and finger are joined to form a circle, is part of a game that involves tricking someone to look at it and subsequently winning the ‘right’ to punch them in the shoulder or arm.
Riewoldt mimicked his 2006 team shot while celebrating in the Tigers’ post-match winning shot at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Richmond Tigers star forward Jack Riewoldt (top row, middle) pulled off one heck of a gag after flashing the same hand gesture in the grand final photo on Saturday as he did 11 years ago
Making sure his gag wasn’t lost on his loyal fans, the star complied the two photos of himself pulling the bizarre moved to his Instagram, writing: ‘It only took 11 years to troll again…..(wink face emoji).’
The post quickly garnered more than 6,500 likes on Instagram and attracted over 14,000 from AFL Facebook group, The Carlton Draft.
‘Jack F*****G RIEWOLDT Far right. After his 2006 Grand Final win. Zoom in in his right hand. The man is a menace,’ the post said.
His legion of followers were more than impressed at his masterful work, with hundreds commenting their praise and coining him a ‘legend’.
Many were dumbfounded at the cleverness of his cheeky joke, and some confessed to it finally making him a deserving recipient of their respect.
In a victory shot alongside his ecstatic team mates after a grand final win with the Clarence Football Club in Tasmania, Riewoldt can be seen making an obscure hand gesture (far right)
A few admitted to having not been a fan of his work until now: ‘f*** I used to hate Jack but now you can’t help but love the c***,’ one wrote.
‘Jack Riewoldt has gone from a flog to a living legend in the span of a week,’ another added.
Sharing to Instagram, commenters raved over the player’s new next-level legendary status.
‘This is elite in the very highest order. Amen,’ one adoring Instagram user conceded.
Another could barely fathom how spectacularly the player had pulled off such a stunt: ‘This is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, on the grandest of stages you pull this out. #epic @riewoldtjack08 Best ever!.’
One fan was struck with disbelief: ‘Congratulations mate, unreal.’
His legion of followers were more than impressed at his masterful work, with hundreds commenting their praise and coining him a ‘legend’
Riewoldt’s popularity has skyrocketed recently, and not just from his crafty footwork on the football field.
The 28-year-old celebrated breaking the Tigers’ 37-year premiership drought by singing on stage with The Killers at the after party concert held at the MCG.
He was filmed, microphone-in-hand, with the American band singing ‘Mr Brightside’ as he waved his medal in front of the huge crowd of excited fans.
The Tiger army were seen dancing to The Killers’ newest band member as he sung alongside front-man Brandon Flowers.