Rioli dreams of continuing family tradition
FOR a player destined to achieve greatness on the MCG in September, life and club politics very nearly got in the way for Daniel Rioli.
His pedigree would suggest Rioli would continue the family tradition as a Norm Smith Medallist.
Just like his grandfather, Maurice, and his uncle, Cyril – whose medal-winning heroics Daniel witnessed first hand as he tore West Coast to shreds in 2015.
The 20-year-old second-year star admits he has dreamt of following in their footsteps as the best player in a winning grand final side.
“You do dream of playing your best footy and in the grand final and receiving a Norm Smith Medal. That is a goal of mine,” he said.
But if Rioli is now a Richmond player still living in the family home of Mr and Mrs Hardwick, circumstances several times threatened to intervene.
He still remembers arriving at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College as a 14-year-old, fresh from the Tiwi Islands.
“My first night I got there it was so cold,” he said.
“There were many times I wanted to go home and I was so young and I remember calling Mum up and I said, ‘It’s too cold, it’s too much’.
“But Mum told me Junior (Cyril) ... did the same thing at Scotch (College) at a young age and wanted to go home and stuck it out.
“It’s been a roller-coaster, but I am pretty grateful.”
By the 2015 national draft everyone knew he had serious talent and tricks. Yet Richmond didn’t pick him, not with their first or second selections.
Finally with their third attempt they took Rioli, taking him off the draft board while eager clubs like North Melbourne hovered with following picks.
“I was so nervous when I got drafted and the bid went on three times but when I got drafted to Richmond the first thing that came to my mind was Maurice playing here,” he said.
“Months later they gave me the No.17 jumper and I had to chose if I wanted to get it and nothing else crossed my mind. I just went for it and took it.”
Now that he is a Tiger, fresh from four breathtaking preliminary final goals, Rioli feels surrounded by family.
The memory of Maurice is still strong despite his death in December 2010, with parents Bradley and Belinda proud Daniel has stayed the course in Victoria.