Webster gets a lucky break from ‘scary’ Rioli

TASMANIAN Saint Jimmy Webster has already had a little win even before the ball is bounced today.

Webster is normally tasked with trying to quell Hawthorn superstar Cyril Rioli, but the three-time All-Australian small forward will not be fronting in Launceston today because of a hip injury. Webster has form on Rioli. Back in 2015 he earned high praise for limiting Rioli to one goal while collecting 27 touches himself in a 63-point win to the Hawks.

Because of Webster’s hamstring issues last year, it was the last time the two have met.

“He’s just hard to play on, he’s obviously one of the best small forwards in the game,” Webster said.

“He’s very quick and agile and it is pretty scary when the ball is in his area because he’s so on to it, that’s what makes him so hard to play on.”

Not that Webster will now have an easy day: instead of four-time premiership player Rioli, he will have to contend with either Luke Breust or Paul Puopolo, who each have three flags.

But Webster is entering the clash in some of the best form of his career. The small defender has played every game this year, averaging almost 20 touches and two tackles a game.

In the Round 4 win over Collingwood, he picked up 25 touches and finished in the coaches’ association votes.

After six seasons in the system since being recruited from Glenorchy, he now knows what it takes to be an AFL player. “It is just consistency . . . it is staying on the park and then taking it into games and playing well.”