Richmond’s Daniel Rioli gearing up for big game against GWS in AFL preliminary finalGREY MORRIS,
NT News
23 September 2017THERE was a time, 35 years ago, when Daniel Rioli’s grandfather, the late and great Maurice Rioli won the Norm Smith Medal as the best player on the ground, despite his Tigers losing to Carlton.
Fast forward to 2017 and 20-year-old Rioli is only one win away from emulating his grandfather’s appearance on Australian football’s greatest day.
The 15th pick in the 2015 national draft, Rioli will play his 42nd game in the famous No. 17 in today’s preliminary final against GWS.
“There’s been a little bit of hype about it,’’ the Tiwi Islander from Garden Point on Melville Island told the NT News.
“But it’s been good having the Rioli name, even though I’m just taking it day by day, week by week as I soak it all in.
“One thing’s for sure, I can’t wait to run out in a final again and yes, it will be unreal to have the No. 17 out on the MCG on grand final day.’’
A Rioli on AFL grand final day has a ring of mystique about it. Maurice in 1982, uncle Dean with Essendon in 2001 and not forgetting his cousin, Cyril “Junior Boy’’ Rioli’s exploits on the game’s greatest stage.
A Norm Smith Medal and four premiership medallions set a standard the family members coming after him are in awe of.
“I get asked the question of expectation a lot because of the Rioli name,’’ Daniel said. “The truth is I’m loving it down here, not being too fussed about any expectations.
“Maurice, Dean and Cyril all made names for themselves, now it’s my turn and my cousin Willie at West Coast as well.
“He was close to getting a call-up this season, but I’m sure he’ll get a game next year and we’ll have three Riolis in the AFL.’’
Daniel remembers leaving home six years ago to attend boarding school at St Patrick’s College in Ballarat, a decision that changed his life.
“My message to all the young blokes on the Tiwi Islands is to balance your life, both in sport and education,’’ he said.
“Yes you have to work hard, but for myself it all started when I got sent away.
“My mum (Belinda) told me that when I was very young and got sent away to further my footy and my school to stick it out and it was the best advice I ever got,’’ he said.
“If it wasn’t for mum and dad (Bradley) and the people who helped me get to St Pat’s College, I wouldn’t be here today and I want the kids on the Tiwis to remember that.
“It’s hard for people on the islands where you are pretty much isolated from everyone else, but you have got to stick everything out, stick with the processes and anything can happen.
“OK you can love your footy, but there is school as well and it’s important to try and balance them both and you’ll find everything else will take care of itself.’’
A finalist in the goal of the year for his clever snap against West Coast mid season, Rioli is having a ball in the Richmond forward line.
“I’ve got the likes of Jack Riewoldt down there, a big tall forward and you’ve got Shane Edwards who plays in the midfield and goes forward to give me a chop out to go on the wing for a bit.
“And I enjoy playing forward with Jason Castagna and Dan Butler, it’s been good and kicking goals is a bonus and a really good feeling.’’
And the goal against West Coast that could land him the goal of the year award?
“I don’t think I’ve ever kicked a goal like that in my life, it will go down in my book as one of the best I’ve done.
“I’ve probably done it in the back yard heaps of times, but never on camera.’’
Rioli is still coming to grips with the 95,000 fans that crammed into the MCG for the qualifying final against Geelong.
“It was unbelievable, something I never experienced before after playing in front of maybe 50 or 100 people on the islands,’’ he said.
Rioli knows his extended family will be watching his every move against the Giants tonight. “I’ll be representing my family and friends and the rest of the NT and I’m pretty proud about that,’’ he said.
“Hopefully we can get to the GF, but as I said it’s a week by week process that will end on grand final day.’’
http://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/local-afl/richmonds-daniel-rioli-gearing-up-for-big-game-against-gws-in-afl-preliminary-final/news-story/bc44eff9c063486ec6487530864a9ff7