Daniel Rioli takes premiership cup on tour of Tiwi Islands

A proud Daniel Rioli has ticked off a “bucket list” item this week, by taking the 2019 premiership cup on a tour of his home town in Tiwi Islands. See the behind-the-scenes images of the cup’s journey.

Richmonds Daniel Rioli brings the 2019 Premiership Cup home to Pirlangimpi, his home community on Melville Island, which is a part of the Tiwi Islands. 05/11/2019. Daniel Rioli with the cup after it was flown to the Tiwi Islands . Pic: Michael Klein

Daniel Rioli cut a proud figure on Melville Island.

The two-time Tigers premiership star welcomed a very special guest to his Tiwi Islands home this week — the 2019 premiership cup.

Rioli, 22, said it was a “bucket list” item ticked to have taken the famous trophy back to his community in Pirlangimpi this week to share Richmond’s flag glory with his close family and friends.

Daniel Rioli walks the cup through town with his younger brother Brayden. Picture: Michael Klein

Daniel unwraps the special delivery and shows it to his mum Belinda. Picture: Michael Klein

“It was so good. I missed the 2017 one — I didn’t get the chance to bring it up, because I had no idea of the process of how to get it over here,” he said.

“In 2018, when West Coast won, (my cousin) Willie took it over to Bathurst (Island). I was a bit jealous.

“When we won this year, it was always on my bucket list to make sure we brought it over. We've got that ticked off. Just walking around the community and showing it off was such a good feeling.

“It was pretty special.”

Daniels younger sister Hayley (left) and Paia Manmurulu carry the 2019 Cup into town. Picture: Michael Klein

Rioli's nephew Kellan Rioli stands in the cup. Picture: Michael Klein

Rioli with his grandmother Helena Kalippa . Pic: Michael Klein

Rioli and a throng of community members met the cup at the island’s airport, with the trophy escorted north by club chief executive Brendon Gale.

The dual-premiership forward took the trophy to visit his family, including parents Bradley Rioli and Belinda Punguatji and his grandmother Helena Kalippa before a trip to his former school for a bit of “show and tell” and a football clinic.

Daniel with kids from the Pirlangimpi primary school during its visit to the Tiwi's. Picture: Michael Klein

Daniel Rioli at the grave of his great uncle, Richmond legend Maurice Rioli during the cup’s visit to the Tiwi Islands. Picture: Michael Klein

“I was over the moon,” Rioli told the Herald Sun.

“Everywhere I went, I had kids hanging off me — I was literally holding the cup in my arms and just walking around the community. Kids were dangling off me, holding my top. It was just awesome.”

The cup then hit the water, joining Rioli and a number of his family members for a spot of fishing.

“We caught heaps of snappers, and a few of the Richmond guys caught sharks — even a hammerhead shark,” he said.

“It was pretty cool.”

Daniel takes the cup fishing in the Apsley Strait. Picture: Michael Klein

The cup sits precariously close to the boat’s edge. Picture: Michael Klein

Both of Rioli’s premiership medals are with him but he admitted that he had forgotten to take them with him on the cup tour.

MORE NEWS:

KYSAIAH KEEN TO BUILD AFL’S PICKETT PALACE

WILLIE RIOLI WILL MAKE IT BACK TO AFL, DAD SAYS

BUCKY: NEXT GENERATION CAN KEEP TIGERS AT TOP

He will stay in Pirlangimpi for another week before a quick stop off in Noosa before the premiers’ pre-season training begins.

“I’ll spend a week there, and then back to the grind,” he laughed.

The cup visited Darwin on Wednesday, giving top end Tigers fans a chance to see the trophy. It will travel around the country in coming weeks before returning to Punt Road for a fan event on November 23.