Rioli needs time, says LadeJORDAN McARDLE
Foxsports
February 21, 2016GIVE Daniel Rioli time, Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade insists.
The Tigers’ top draft pick, one of nine uncapped players blooded against Fremantle in Mandurah on Friday, had a tough initiation to AFL ranks.
The Northern Territorian was restricted to just four touches in his side’s 60-point NAB Challenge loss to last year’s minor premiers.
But Lade, who took the reins from senior coach Damien Hardwick for the match, was confident the exciting forward would learn from that experience.
“There’s not many players that come on and become an elite player in their first couple of games,” Lade said.
“He did some good things, but he’s got some work to do. He’s an 18-year-old kid and he’s well on his way in footy and in life. He’ll get better.”
If Rioli plays in Richmond’s next pre-season hitout is against three-time defending champions Hawthorn at Beaconsfield on Saturday, he could line up against his cousin and Norm Smith medallist Cyril.
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