Following a six-goal start to the season against Carlton in round 1, he suffered a tougher fortnight to follow. He suffered a concussion early in the club's round 2 match with and was substituted before he was able to record an impact in any major statistical category. He was seen crawling up the stairs connecting the change rooms to the field and arguing forcefully to be returned to the match. Riewoldt earned criticism from coach Damien Hardwick in April, told he needed to change his on-field demeanour after being seen yelling at teammate Dustin Martin and giving the finger to the bench in round 3. He was also fined $1,200 by the AFL for the hand gesture. He was criticised by Robert Walls in "The Age" for selfish play; Walls said Riewoldt had "become an individual in a team sport."