Another Rioli at South Fremantle and another WAFL flag for the Melville Island football family

Ben Rioli plays his part in South Fremantle’s first WAFL flag in 11 years after they beat Claremont by three points

Winners are grinners ... Ben Rioli with South Fremantle teammate Jason Maskos and the WAFL's premiership cup.

LIKE the old saying goes, pick a Rioli, win a premiership.

Ben Rioli capped off a brilliant debut season at South Fremantle with a part in the club’s first grand final victory since 2009.

Rioli became the 10th member of his famous footballing family to don the red-and-white of the Bulldogs, heading west during the pre-season after the NT Thunder withdrew from Brisbane’s NEAFL competition.

His late father Sebastian ‘Sibby’ Rioli was the trailblazer of the family’s relationship with South when he made the journey in 1972 and his late uncle Maurice won back-to-back Simpson Medals in the early ‘80s.

So it comes as no surprise how quickly the club felt like home.

“The club means so much to my family, my dad came here almost 50 years ago and it just feels like home here,” Rioli told ABC Grandstand.

“To move down here and to be welcomed the way we are, it honestly feels like home here.

“I just love it, I love the football club and I can’t believe I’m a WAFL premiership player.

“If you told me that a few months ago, I wouldn’t have believed it for a second.”

It was a mix of relief and happiness for the speedy defender as the final siren went on the thrilling three-point win against Claremont and what he described as his worst game in Bulldogs colours.

“I had probably the worst game I’ve had in South Fremantle colours,” Rioli said.

“It was more just relief because I had played so bad so I’m just so happy we won.”

The premiership ended years of heartache for South Fremantle, who lost three consecutive preliminary finals before last year’s grand final thumping at the hands of Subiaco.

But Rioli, who will play for the Bulldogs again in 2021, denied he was the lucky charm.

“I know the saying going around, you get a Rioli, you win a flag,” he said.

“But we’ve been through so much heartbreak and lost so many preliminary finals, they were destined to win one.

“I’m just happy I’ve jumped on the ship and I’m a part of that but I’m definitely not the lucky charm, the boys deserved it.”