AFL draft 2015: Daniel Rioli set to excite Richmond fans but will take time to develop
DANIEL Rioli’s brave decision to escape the Tiwi Islands’ drug and alcohol issues at age 14 has been vindicated as he became the latest Rioli drafted on to an AFL list.
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DANIEL Rioli’s brave decision to escape the Tiwi Islands’ drug and alcohol issues at age 14 has been vindicated as he became the latest Rioli drafted on to an AFL list.
Rioli was taken by Richmond at pick 15, but only after it bid for Greater Western Sydney teenage Matthew Kennedy and Brisbane Lions’ academy tall Eric Hipwood.
After keeping those clubs honest, it secured the great nephew of the Tigers’ Norm Smith medallist Maurice, also a cousin of Hawks star Cyril.
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Rioli is a 180cm goalkicking midfielder but emerged as one to get only after a dazzling senior year playing at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick warned he would take time to develop but noted Cyril’s incredible first year at Hawthorn off a limited preparation.
Rioli told the Herald Sun that decision to move away from his home had paid off.
“I started my schooling in Ballarat when I was 14. I wanted to get an education and, back home in the Tiwi Islands, there are a lot of drug and alcohol problems,’’ he said.
“I was happy enough to move away and did my schooling, and then in year 11 I took my footy seriously and made the Rebels TAC Cup squad.
“It was a pretty hard decision for me at the start to move away from home with my mum there but she understood.
“We kept in touch every week and she gave me a call. Everything panned out really well and I am grateful for it.”
Richmond swept in before Hawthorn but the Hawks had admitted pre-draft that playing under the shadow of Cyril at Hawthorn might prove tough.
“It would be good to make my name at a different club,’’ Daniel said.
“My grandfather Maurice played here and to get my name out is pretty special for my family. I have seen a fair few (highlights) on Fox Footy lately with the old games. It’s good to see his highlights.”
Hardwick said he wouldn’t be surprised if Rioli quickly developed into a silky forward at Richmond.
“We are really happy to get Daniel. He brings pace, he is dynamic and he’s a really good finisher,” he said.
“He is going to take a bit of time and we understand that but I believe Alastair Clarkson said that about Cyril and he played all 22 games and finals that year. He is going to be an exciting prospect for us but he will make his own name.”
The Tigers used pick 50 on South Australian medium-sized forward Oleg Markov as they continued to add goalpower to their list.
The son of world champion pole vaulter Dimitri Markov kicked five goals against Vic Metro in the national carnival.
With their third pick at 67 they took Swan Districts defender Nathan Broad, 22, after an exceptional WAFL season playing every game.
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