SUNS’ EYES ON DANIEL RIOLI GETS COMPLICATEDThe future of Daniel Rioli beyond 2024 has again been brought into the spotlight, despite the three-time premiership player being contracted at Tigerland until the end of 2027.
Daniel’s ultra-tight relationship with his uncle Maurice Rioli Jnr is believed to potentially complicate Gold Coast’s pursuit for the defender, with the duo perhaps only willing to move as a package deal.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun reporters Sam Landsberger and Lauren Wood discussed their potential next move.
“I’m not sure Daniel really wants to leave Maurice, and I’m not sure Maurice wants to play without Dan; so it might be a fact of can Gold Coast play both, would Richmond trade both?” Landsberger begun by saying.
“There’s a little bit there to play out more than just the draft picks on the table, does Gold Coast have a need or a want for Maurice Rioli? I’m not sure.
“Daniel is Maurice’s nephew, (so) I’m not too sure they want to play apart.”
Wood than detailed their relationship as youngsters, and as to why they look so fondly on the idea of continuing their playing careers together.
“These guys grew up tight as tight; they have spoken about kicking a Coke bottle under the one street light where they lived on the Tiwi Islands, treating it like it was a footy and pretending they were on the MCG,” Wood explained.
“I think it’s safe to say that there was an element when Maurice came to Melbourne … that there was a promise that he would look after him.”
Maurice is currently three to four weeks away from his return after a nasty syndesmosis injury sustained against the Western Bulldogs in Round 9.
Daniel has played 174 games since his debut in 2016, while Maurice has played 35 since 2021.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/top-preagent-makes-key-call-on-future-suns-rioli-raid-may-get-even-bigger-trade-whispers/news-story/78ca582fcf25e2e277dffffe1d405b37
