Territorian Rioli re-signs at Richmond to become a Tiger for life

Territory AFL star and newly re-signed Richmond flyer Daniel Rioli has re-signed with the Tigers to chase a fourth flag and play on with uncle Maurice Jr.

TERRITORY AFL star and newly re-signed Richmond flyer Daniel Rioli says the Tigers are capable of winning a remarkable fourth premiership in their current run.

Rioli, who was dropped multiple times last year, is back in form and on Thursday signed a five-year deal with the Tigers.

The triple premiership small forward said his fellow Territorian, and uncle, Maurice Jr was close to clinching his own new deal as the pair pledged to stay together at the club that made Maurice Sr famous.

Daniel Rioli has re-signed with the Tigers to chase a fourth flag and play on with uncle Maurice Jr. Picture: Getty ImagesPhoto by Michael Klein

Rioli said that while his management told him there were suitors from rival clubs the determination to stay in the same side with Maurice had made his decision easy.

He said with triple Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin ready to return for the finals series, the Tigers believed the sky was the limit after three wins and a draw in their past four games.

“I think we can win it. We have hit our straps at the minute and have gained some momentum. Nothing is impossible and we have got Dustin ready to come back and that will boost our side massively. That is what we are striving for,” he said.

“It is good to have three premierships under the belt at a pretty young age so fingers crossed I could get one more. We know how finals work and we have hit our straps at the pointy end of the season but we will give it our best first against Essendon and then finish the game off strong. We need to play well to keep the momentum going into finals.”

Rioli admits even he is surprised at the turnaround in his form after being repurposed as a defender.

“It’s good to get the stress out of the way now and focus on footy. I was really excited to get the deal done. In Dreamtime in Perth last year I was the medi-sub and came on with six minutes left and was lucky enough to kick two goals. But it was an up-and-down year, I was in and out of form. It was a blessing in disguise because I wasn’t playing great footy and to find my place in the backline suits me.

“One of the reasons I signed on is to stay around with Maurice. To have family at the club and good ties and connections. My grandfather Maurice senior played her for a long time and to think Maurice isn’t too far away from signing is great.

“I am rapt with the way I am going and it’s credit to Dimma (Damien Hardwick) and my backline coach Adam Kingsley.”