AFLW Draft: Jemma Rigoni, daughter of Guy Rigoni, ready to be taken by Melbourne

Guy Rigoni was a hardworking Dee on the MCG for eight seasons and his daughter Jemma knows the grand stadium like the back of her hand as she gets ready for the AFLW draft.

AFLW draft prospect Jemma Rigoni. Jemma is eligible to join Melbourne in next Monday night's draft, as a father-daughter prospect. She is the daughter of former Melbourne midfielder Guy Rigoni. Picture: David Caird

Many footy fans will know the name — and some might even know the face.

Jemma Rigoni is the daughter of former Melbourne midfielder Guy Rigoni and when she wasn’t playing football herself this year she was serving beers to supporters at the MCG.

“I did the Grand Final,” Jemma said of her bar work.

“That was pretty nuts, but really exciting. I also did the semi-final where Melbourne lost to Carlton, which was really upsetting. But I love the job.

“I can’t get enough of footy, clearly.”

Jemma Rigoni is set to go to the Dees. Picture: David Caird

Jemma wasn’t the first in her family to be run off their feet at the MCG on Grand Final day.

Guy played in a losing season decider for the Demons in 2000, as part of a career that spanned 107 senior games.

His time at Melbourne not only ensured his daughter grew up following the red and blue, but has also paved the way for Jemma to join the Demons as a father-daughter selection in Monday night’s AFLW draft.

“I’m very excited to hopefully carry on a legacy of playing footy, like my dad,” Jemma said.

“But whatever club I go to, I just want to feel like I’ve earned it for myself. I also want to feel like I’m valued for the role I can play in the team. Wherever I end up, whether that’s Melbourne or another club, I would just love to play AFLW.”

Guy Rigoni is brought down by James Hird in the 2000 grand final.

Footy wasn’t always Jemma’s first sporting love.

The 19-year-old played basketball and netball before picking up a Sherrin six years ago as the AFLW began to take off.

By 2021, Jemma was showing plenty of promise as speedy half-forward, before rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during a preliminary final for the Oakleigh Chargers.

After missing the 2022 campaign as she recovered from the injury, Jemma returned this year as a rebounding defender before finding her calling on a wing in the second half of the season.

“I’d say I’m a speedy, explosive player,” Jemma said.

“I do love to go on a bit of a run. Then from my netball and basketball background, I really love reading the play, trying to intercept where I can and attack the footy.

“I’ve watched a bit of dad’s vision. He was a defensive attacking player as well and he was very explosive. I feel like we play different games, but also similar at the same time.”

Jemma counts herself as ‘explosive’. Picture: David Caird

Having finished high school last year, Jemma is now studying science at Monash University and has been a train-on player with the Demons.

She has been closely following one Melbourne AFLW star in particular – Sinead Goldrick.

“We have similar attributes, particularly in a speed sense,” Jemma said.

“So I’ve loved watching her conduct herself at training, but also on-field in games. I’ve definitely taken a liking to following her in the past few years.”

Rigoni is one of four AFLW draft prospects who qualify under father-daughter rules this year.

Geelong has access to midfielder Bryde O’Rourke, the daughter of Ray O’Rourke who played two games for Geelong in 1969.

St Kilda can pick up onballer Charlotte Simpson, whose father Sean played seven games for the Saints between 1988 and 1990.

Carlton can also select an inside midfielder in Meg Robertson, the daughter of Ben Robertson who played two games for the Blues in 1992.

Originally published as AFLW Draft: Jemma Rigoni, daughter of Guy Rigoni, ready to be taken by Melbourne