AFL Draft 2024: Sydney’s mature age recruit Riley Bice finally gets his AFL chance

Riley Bice had played everywhere, from Murray Bushrangers’ under-18 side to the Tiwi Bombers. But it was a surprise shift to defence at Werribee that caught the eye of AFL recruiters.

Twelve months ago, Riley Bice looked in the mirror and realised the clock was ticking on making his AFL dream come true.

A talented junior for Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League, he was never quite able to make the most of the opportunity. More chances came, whether it was for GWS in their VFL side, for the Albury Tigers or even the Tiwi Bombers in the NTFL.

Yet as the end of 2023 rolled around, he didn’t know what his future held.

Another door opened for him at Werribee at the start of this year. Turning up for pre-season training in February, he knew he had his work cut out for him. A month later, he was in the Tigers’ side for round 1.

By September, he was part of Werribee’s first premiership team in 31 years and was named in the VFL team of the season.

Now, he’s a Sydney Swan after being taken as a mature-age selection at pick 41 of the AFL draft.

Riley Bice celebrates during Werribee’s preliminary final win this season. Picture: Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“It’s a weird one,” Bice said of being taken in the draft at age 24.

“Out of the under-18s, I probably wasn’t quite ready to play VFL. So I just went away at local footy for a little while and then we had a few years with Covid there we missed.

“It probably got to last year where I sort of thought to myself, it’s now or never. I don’t want to look back on it and regret not giving it a crack.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play at Werribee this year. I don’t think I could have landed at a better club and to win a premiership there with so many good mates, it was very special.”

Bice’s ascension to one of the VFL’s best players is even more remarkable considering it was his first proper year playing in defence.

He averaged 21.8 disposals, 4.6 intercept possessions, 6.9 marks and 4.2 score involvements across 21 matches for the Tigers. He also used the ball at 75.8 per cent and clearly excelled playing off half-back.

The 24-year-old earned a strong reputation for his ability to use the ball running off half-back. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

It was a far cry from the player who thought things would come his way early in his career.

“I’ve only just moved to the backline this year so I’ve got a few comparisons to Nick Blakey,” Bice said. “He’s obviously a bit taller, but just trying to run and dash off half-back and use my kicking.

“Everyone always hinted at (playing in defence) but the opportunity came this year after we had a few boys go down in the backline, so I finally gave it a crack.

“Coming to the VFL … I think you realise just how hard you’ve actually got to work for it and put in the extras. Then you can be confidence when you’ve put in the work.”

Getting to wear the red and white in 2025 will be a surreal sensation for Bice, who grew up a Swans fan – “A fair few of them have sent messages already, obviously being a Swans supporter growing up that’s pretty cool,” he said.

We are loving what we are seeing here from Riley Bice 😍

These highlights from his 31 disposal, 11 mark and 8 tackle game in the VFL this season.

📽️ @WerribeeFCpic.twitter.com/cEI9BjoZNV

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) November 21, 2024

And he’s already got a connection with a couple of future teammates in James Jordon and Caleb Mitchell, who also hail from Yarrawonga on the NSW-Victoria border.

But after a year which has already exceeded all expectations, he’s ready to arrive in Sydney and hit the ground running to hopefully become the player he’s always thought he had the potential to be.

“There is a big history from Werribee boys getting picked up, so it does give a lot of confidence seeing those boys go to a higher level,” Bice said.

“I think you play footy to win. So to win a premiership at that level, it holds you in good stead going up to the next level. You’re playing in the bigger games and they’re a lot more intense.

“It was a big surprise, but I’m very excited and can’t wait.”