Before Saturday's grand final Jack Riewoldt told two members of Richmond's media team "if we win I'm singing on stage with The Killers, I love them".
"Sure, Jack," the Richmond staffers thought.
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Jack Riewoldt's on-stage cameo with The Killers
His premiership medal swinging around his neck, Riewoldt's off-field ability scored points all round after the Tigers' grand final win on Saturday.
At the start of the last quarter, the Tigers media manager Nicki Malady mentioned to an AFL public relations staffer that Jack had joked about singing Mr Brightside on stage with the Las Vegas band should they win the premiership.
"I'll make some calls," the AFL PR staffer said.
The calls worked.
Fast forward to about 7:20pm on grand final night and Riewoldt was on stage with Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of The Killers, ripping into one of the most rousing renditions of Mr Brightside ever – one of the most seminal pieces of music of this century.
The timing was perfect for the Tiger forward. His teammates emerged from the rooms to watch The Killers with only a few songs left in their storming one-hour MCG set.
"I've got to cut the premiership celebrations short because I have to go and tour with The Killers," Riewoldt said at the club's family day on Sunday. "I was trending more than Donald Trump last night."
![Jack Riewoldt and Brandon Flowers on stage after the grand final.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171003075212im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/s/0/f/3/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gys2tn.png/1506856655289.jpg)
Riewoldt was initially reluctant to jump on the stage with the band just before they launched into Mr Brightside, the last song of the performance, but eventually stumped up the courage to go up, Malady said.
But on Sunday, Riewoldt was glad he went through with it. "You don't get those opportunities much in life so you want to take them. I'm extremely grateful [to be the first person to perform the song with them], being a rock star is pretty cool.
"It [singing with The Killers] was close to the feeling of the final siren, the feeling of elation … they're an awesome act and I was just pumped it could happen.
"I can remember trying to hold the microphone far away enough from my mouth so you couldn't hear me singing, my voice was ruined by then.
"Today is going to be hard to live up to it."
The Killers very rarely have anyone on stage joining in on their performances, let alone for their biggest hit. The band's management confirmed to Fairfax Media on Sunday morning that Riewoldt was the first person to perform the song on stage with the band.
"The band were happy to oblige," the band's representative Jeremy Bates said. "I can't recall anyone [joining the band on stage for Mr Brightside]. Certainly no one up front like Jack was."
The Killers formed in 2001 and Mr Brightside has been performed at every show they have ever played.
The last two people to sing songs with them before Riewoldt were actor Woody Harrellson [to play the song The Calling] and Sir Paul McCartney [to play The Beatles' classic Helter Skelter].
Riewoldt's voice was noticeably strained on Sunday as he reflected on the club's first premiership in 37 years.
"The medal feels unbelievable," he said. "It is an awesome experience and I am so thrilled to share it with the team, the coaches and every player that represented the club this year."
"It's an extremely special moment for us, our friends our families and our fans most importantly."
The forward played an important role in the grand final, kicking two goals and taking two spectacular marks.
He said one part of the celebrations he would cherish most was enjoying the victory with those who had been integral to his AFL career.
"A lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to get there. I got here on day dot with Shane Edwards, both of us pretty skinny and raw from interstate and just to reflect on that … and then see a young kid like Jack Graham … it's awesome
"To celebrate with ex-teammates as well yesterday, guys like Troy Chaplin, that have had a massive impact on this group but aren't here to play in the game, they've had their part in this as well. There are plenty of guys along the journey that had an influence on players from yesterday and the club.
"'Richo' [Matthew Richardson] is an idol of the club and a true mentor when I got here and I couldn't have been happier for him."