Proud dad Brendan Fevola says Daniel Rioli is still part of the family, months after ‘sad’ split from Mia
As he prepares for Father’s Day, Brendan Fevola has opened up about the joy of raising his four girls — and why eldest daughter Mia’s ex-boyfriend, Tigers star, Daniel Rioli is still part of the family after their ‘sad’ split.
Entertainment
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As Brendan Fevola prepares to celebrate Father’s Day with his four daughters, he still considers Richmond star Daniel Rioli part of the family.
Fevola, pictured with Mia, Leni, Lulu and Tobi, said: “I love being a dad to my girls. People always asked me: ‘Why don’t you try for a boy?’ But I don’t know what I’d do if we had a boy in the family.
“I love my girls and I know I’m the last in the pecking order at our house. I’m a pushover.
I’m their personal chef, cleaner, and driver. I do everything they want, and I love that.”
The former AFL legend turned Fox FM broadcaster enjoyed some male company at the Fevola house for a few years when Mia dated Rioli.
The couple split earlier this year.
“I still text Daniel every week to say good luck with the game. Alex (Fevola’s wife) texts him before every game, too,” Fevola said.
“He was part of our family for a long time, and lived with us for a long time. It was sad to see him go.
“I said to Mia, Do you want to move out and so Daniel can come back?’ She doesn’t think that’s very funny. Dad jokes — they just don’t hit.
Fevola added: “He was so good with our kids. Before lockdown, Daniel would take them bowling, or to the movies. The kids loved him, and they still do. He grew up with them.”
Fevola, who is working from home during stage four restrictions, says he’s relishing simple joys like Mia launching her fashion label, Lulu’s love of books, Leni’s vinyl collection and Tobi’s attachment to lockdown life.
“Tobi doesn’t know anything different to lockdown. She’s so attached and doesn’t really know the outside world,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to get away from her.”
Fevola added: “I never pushed the girls into doing sport, or things that I love. I want them to have their own direction in life.”
Father’s Day, he predicts, will include breakfast in bed, and socks and jocks.
“It usually starts off with burnt toast with too much Vegemite. They try to make eggs, and wreck them. But it’s beautiful. It’s everything I need.”
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