St Mary’s Football Club recognises a 1000-game Rioli milestone with a specially designed jumper

FOUR generations of the Rioli family and St Mary’s Football Club reach a significant milestone at TIO Stadium tomorrow

Ben and Shannon Rioli in their family's 1000-game St Mary’s jumper. Picture: St Marys Football Club

FOUR generations of the Rioli family and St Mary’s Football Club reach a significant milestone at Darwin’s TIO Stadium tomorrow.

The Melville Island football dynasty that produced AFL stars Maurice Sr, Cyril Jr, Willie Jr, Dean and Daniel, reaches the magical 1000-game mark with St Mary’s.

Only Dean has not pulled on the green and gold jumper. He played under his dad Sebastian at Waratah before moving to South Fremantle and eventually Essendon in the late 1990s.

But the list of Riolis who have plied their trade with the 32-time premier reaches into the 20s.

From Cyril Sr in the 1950s to his sons and grandsons, the names roll off the tongue like a who’s-who of the Territory game.

Maurice Sr revolutionised the game in a manner only former Geelong great Polly Farmer can boast and Cyril Junior Boy won four premierships at Hawthorn, joining his uncle Maurice as a Norm Smith medallist in 2015.

Cyril Jr and Willie Sr were great servants at St Mary’s, both of them winning Nichols Medals as the NTFL’s best and fairest player.

Sebastian’s sons Shannon and Ben are still at the top of their trade in a green and gold jumper and will join with Maurice’s son to carry the family name into the clash with Waratah.

Shannon Rioli said it was a proud day for the family and their long links with the green and gold jumper.

He designed the match jumper the players will wear after consulting with his Aunty Lulu Coombes and mum Cheryl on the best way to represent the connection between the Rioli family and the 32-time NTFL premier.

“Ben, myself and Maurice Jr are pretty lucky to represent the family on a day when we all celebrate what we’ve achieved over a lot of years,’’ Shannon said.

“There’s always been a St John’s College link with the family and St Mary’s, it’s how most of us got our start at senior level.’’

The one-off jumper includes four plates down the middle of a green turtle shell that represents the generations of Riolis who have worn the Saints colours.

The yellow on the jumper is the journey of Air Force Creek near the family’s spiritual place at Wulawunga on Melville Island.