Rioli having major impact at TigerlandLAUREN WOOD, GLENN McFARLANE,
Herald Sun
9 April 2017DANIEL Rioli’s impact has extended far beyond his electric playmaking and goal-generating ability, his captain says.
Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin has lauded the young gun, who has been likened to his star cousin and four-time premiership Hawk Cyril following his goal of the year chance in Saturday’s rain-soaked win over West Coast.
Cotchin said the 19-year-old — who grew up in the Tiwi Islands before moving to Ballarat at age 14 ahead of his 2015 drafting by the Tigers — has displayed maturity well beyond his years.
“We’ll focus on that special goal that he kicked, but I think the greatest example is that contest with (Eagle Jeremy) McGovern where he’s far and above outweighed and outsized in a contest, manages to halve it and then wins the footy, takes off and gives it to another one of our runners,” Cotchin said on Channel 9.
“The greatest thing about Dan is, for such a young kid, he’s very mature.
“Typically, Indigenous guys coming from interstate and having to embrace this whole new environment and AFL footy can struggle early days. But he’s been nothing short of outstanding and taking other guys that we’ve drafted into the club under his wing this season has been really special.”
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