WAFL club South Fremantle gets another Rioli on their playing list

THE Rioli football dynasty at WAFL club South Fremantle is set to continue with Ben Rioli setting himself for a Round 1 debut

Ben Rioli under pressure from Buffalo Jarrod Stokes. The running defender is headed to WAFL club South Fremantle where the Rioli name is part of club folklore.

THE Rioli football dynasty at WAFL club South Fremantle is set to continue with Ben Rioli setting himself for a Round 1 debut in April.

The hard running St Mary’s and Territory Thunder defender will add to a long family connection with the beachside Bulldogs that began with his dad Sebastian in 1972.

Rioli flew to Perth on Monday to begin pre-season training in a campaign he hopes will lead to him playing in South Fremantle’s season opener against West Perth on April 4.

South Fremantle finished WAFL runners-up in 2019, crashing to a disappointing 96-point defeat at the hands of Subiaco in the grand final.

For 26-year-old Rioli it is an opportunity to join his dad, uncles Maurice, Cyril Jr, Willie Sr, Lawrence and John, cousin Willie Jr and his brothers Dean and Shannon in pulling on the traditional red and white jumper.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do but never really found the time with other playing commitments making it hard,’’ Ben Rioli said.

“Souths have contacted me previously about playing in Perth, but it’s normally been too late with Thunder playing and things like that.

“But this time they rang me early and from that we had a meeting and it’s all worked out for me to give it my best shot down there.’’

Rioli has only played four games for St Mary’s this season after an injury interrupted campaign in Thunder’s farewell NEAFL season.

But he still hopes to play in his parent club’s return to the finals after their wooden spoon season in 2018-19.

“Hopefully I can work something out and qualify for the finals with Saints,’’ he said.

South Fremantle football manager Marty Atkins said the 177cm silky-skilled speedster was focused on preparing for his debut WAFL season.

“I spoke with him this week and he’s good to go,” Atkins said. “We’re aiming for him to be match fit for Round 1.”