Richmond star Daniel Rioli joins his parents in designing Tigers’ Dreamtime at the ‘G jumper

Countless hours have been spent on what Daniel Rioli describes as the most special Dreamtime at the ‘G guernsey yet, after joining forces with his parents in the Tiwi Islands to design this year’s epic edition. SEE IT HERE.

Richmond star Daniel Rioli with the Indigenous Round Dreamtime jumper he designed with his parents in the Tiwi Islands. Picture: David Caird

It’s funny how life brings you full-circle.

Eight years ago, Bradley Rioli and Belinda Punguatji sent their teenage boy Daniel to Ballarat for a St Patrick’s College education and a shot at the big time.

They were nervous, and naturally missed their son, unsure of what would or could eventuate.

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Fast-forward to 2019 and Rioli is a premiership player at Richmond, with the pair having joined their son in designing and illustrating the latest edition of the Tigers’ Dreamtime at the ‘G guernsey that will be worn on the MCG against Essendon on May 25.

Daniel Rioli dons this year’s jumper, with a traditional Marngrook made of possum skin. Picture: David Caird

Countless hours were spent on the guernsey — which features the Rioli family totem, the turtle — in the Tiwi Islands over summer, Rioli revealed.

“I mentioned it to the club early last year, and whether I could design the jumper and for mum and dad to help,” the forward said.

“Just before Christmas I went up to Darwin and they sat down with me ... they were so excited. They spent hours every day working on it — normally they hate having nothing to do, but they were so excited to sit down and try and design bits and pieces.

“I had the idea of doing the totem pole as the sash down the middle — I can’t draw so I was the (ideas man) and they all designed it and did the drawings. That week went pretty fast and it was all done.”

The jumper also features grey and ocre dot painting — the latter to represent the Northern Territory and Tiwi Islands — with two spears on the back representing men and power.

Rioli, who joked that his parents had “kicked me out” as a teenager to head to Ballarat and try to make something of the talent that seems to come with the family name, said he never could have imagined such a turn of events.

“I’ve had the opportunity to wear the Dreamtime jumper a few times now ... it felt amazing, representing your people,” he said.

Rioli with the Indigenous Round’s Dreamtime jumper he designed with his parents in the Tiwi Islands. Picture: David Caird

“I’ve always wanted to do one and I thought it would be impossible. I never thought I’d have an AFL jumper that myself, my mum and dad designed that would be running out on the MCG in front of 80-odd thousand people and broadcast around Australia.

“They’ve been such a big part of my life and to have them help design the jumper is just amazing.

“(Mum was like) ‘Are they actually going to wear it? Everyone’s going to see it?’. She was so happy and said she’d have to do a good job of drawing. They’re going to be on the jumper forever, now. It’s going to stick with them forever and they’re really grateful for the opportunity.”