2015 National Draft: Pick 15, Daniel Riolirichmondfc.com.au
November 24, 2015 7:33 PMRichmond has used its first selection (pick 15) in the 2015 National Draft, to recruit silky-skilled, speedy small forward Daniel Rioli from the North Ballarat Rebels.
Here is a summary of what Richmond fans can expect to see from the cousin of current-day Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli, in future seasons . . .
Profile
DOB: 16/04/1997
Height: 180cm
Weight: 71kg
Club recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels (TAC Cup)
Junior club: St Mary’s
Position: Small forward
In a nutshellRioli’s great uncle, Maurice Rioli, was a champion footballer with Richmond in the 1980s, when he won two Jack Dyer Medals, and a Norm Smith Medal in 1982.
Daniel Rioli grew up in the Northern Territory, on the Tiwi Islands, but moved to Victoria four years ago.
He played nine games with North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup in 2015, and kicked four goals in an eye-catching qualifying final exhibition against the Geelong Falcons.
Rioli represented the Northern Territory at the 2015 under-18 National Championships, impressing in each of his three outings.
The talented teenager also was a member of the under-18 Allies team which competed against the AFL Academy side in the 2015 Grand Final curtain-raiser on the MCG, and was named among the best players for his quality display in that match.
An AFL Combine standoutRioli was this year's standout performer at the AFL Combine held at Etihad Stadium. He demonstrated a top-class mix of endurance and speed that saw a significant surge in his draft stocks. Rioli finished equal second in the 20-metre sprint (recording a time of 2.89 seconds) and won the 30-metre repeat sprints with an elite time of 24.15 seconds. He was placed in the top-10 for the vertical jump and clean hands test, and also ran to level 14.6 in the beep test. On top of Rioli’s excellent performances for the Northern Territory during the mid-year carnival, and with the Allies in the Grand Final curtain-raiser, his strong showing at the combine saw him rise up the draft pecking order.
From the Richmond recruiters
Combined playing football with St Patricks College in Ballarat, the AFL Victoria Laguntas program, North Ballart Rebels, and his home state of Northern Territory in the U18 National Championships. Rioli displays an ability to win 50/50 balls, and his average of 10 disposals per game at the National Championships comprised an average of 10 contested possessions per game. He loves to tackle, averaging five per game at TAC Cup level, with highs of eight, eight and nine. He has great speed, endurance and recovery. Richmond will look to develop his game as a small forward, who will pressure the opposition and find the goals himself.
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-11-24/2015-national-draft-pick-13-daniel-rioli
