The Apple Isle 11.12 (78) defeated the Rams 10.7 (67) to complete the second match of the double-header staged at MC Labour Park in Carlton on Saturday. In the earlier match, Queensland held off Northern Territory by 28 points.
But it was the heroics of Riewoldt that will have plenty of tongues wagging, as the 193cm-tall forward booted three successive goals in the final term for Tasmania - his side's only majors during that period - to give the Apple Isle the four points.
After NSW/ACT's Jay Koehler opened the final term to put the Rams in front, the combine looked set to upset the more favoured Tasmania. But when Riewoldt stepped up to boot three goals in six minutes, the boys from the south were home.
It was a terrific comeback from Riewoldt, who did not get a touch in the first quarter. Yet he finished with 15 disposals in a best-on-ground effort. His whereabouts come November will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Mitchell Thorp, arguably Tasmania's highest-rated draft prospect, was one of his side's best. The 195cm-tall forward/defender finished the match with 24 touches - the most for the game - in an impressive display. Tom Hislop, another name to keep tabs on, also shone with 23 disposals and a couple of majors.
For NSW/ACT, among its best was captain Craig Bird, who finished with 20 possessions and six tackles, while Todd Dickinson also laid 11 tackles. Evan Duryea won 22 disposals - the most for his side.
New South Wales gained the early jump with the first two goals of the match, but when Hislop booted his second, Tasmania trailed by just four points at the first break.
Again, the second term was tight. Tasmania gained the lead mid-way through the quarter, but when the Rams added two in succession, the combine led by six points at half-time.
The Taswegians booted the first three goals of the second half to break away to a 14-point lead and it looked as if the Apple Isle was set to take full control of the match.
But when Josh Meiselbach opened NSW/ACT's account 20 minutes into the second half and the opportunistic Tim McIntyre snapped his second, the Rams were right back in the hunt. At three-quarter-time, Tassie led by just three points.
But after eight lead changes in the match, when Riewoldt stepped up in the final term, Tasmania was home.
TASMANIA: 3.3 5.9 8.11 11.12 (78)
NEW SOUTH WALES/AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: 4.1 7.2 9.2 10.7 (67)
GOALS - Tasmania: Riewoldt 4, Garland 2, Hislop 2, Thorp 2, Wells
NSW/ACT: McIntyre 2, Stroobants 2, Dickinson, Eintwisle, Koehler, Louis, Meiselbach, Neyland
BEST - Tasmania: Riewoldt, Thorp, Hislop, Joseph, Wells, Mohr
NSW/ACT: Bird, Dickinson, Paine, Duryea, Suckling, McIntyre
UMPIRES - Ritchie, Bowen, Raven
MC Labour Park, Carlton
