Mid-season draft: Stingray Mitch Riordan joins Gold Coast Suns

In Mitch Riordan, Gold Coast has drafted a ‘really good character and competitor’, Dandenong Stingrays coach Nick Cox says.

Stingrays premiership co-captains Mitchell Riordan (left) and Campbell Hustwaite.

Mitch Riordan took some drills at the Dandenong Stingrays’ training session last Tuesday.

With the mid-season draft a few days away, coach Nick Cox had figured it would be the last time Riordan would be with the squad.

“I rate him as someone I can trust to do and say the right thing in front of the other players, absolutely,’’ Cox said this morning.

“So it was a good chance for him to take training and go out on that good experience of leading the boys on the track.’’

Cox was confident his onballer would be drafted.

Last night he was, taken by Gold Coast at No 2 as he joined fellow Stingrays 2018 premiership player Sam Fletcher at the Suns.

Riordan was co-captain of the premiership team, but his end to last season was a struggle owing to a serious hamstring injury he suffered at the national championships.

Once touted as a top-20 talent, he was overlooked in the national and rookie drafts.

Cox was surprised. Mostly, he was disappointed for his young charge.

The Stingrays invited Riordan back as a 19-year-old this year. Hamstring problems behind him, with fitness came form, prompting one recruiter to remark a few weeks ago that he looked a class above the NAB League.

Mitch Riordan as a Victorian Under 12 schoolboys selection in 2012.

Cox believes Riordan is “well and truly ready to make an impact at the next level, and he’s excited to get the chance to do it’’.

“His training levels and the way he’s been playing are at another standard … maybe Gold Coast think he can come in and play at senior level this year and progress into next year,’’ he said.

“He’s a really good character and competitor, does all the basics really well, and he’s selfless, will do everything he possibly can to make sure his team gets success.’’

The hamstring injury slowed Riordan considerably last year.

FIRST FLAG FOR RAYS

RIORDAN A KEY IN STINGRAYS' 2019 SQUAD

But Cox said the right-footer had regained his “zip’’ and his “take-off ability from a contested-possession stoppage’’.

“That’s what’s stood out about him this year, the way he’s running away from a contest with the ball and hitting a target,’’ he said.

Riordan packed his bags last night and was at Tullamarine this morning, Gold Coast his destination.

Here comes the new Sun.