FOOTY IN THE FAMILY

Q Originally from St Mary’s Football Club in the NTFL, you went via Perth in the WAFL to Geelong in the AFL. How did that path come about? A I was drafted as a 22-year-old in 1996 as my first year. I was fortunate to not have to play in the VFL, I went straight into Geelong’s senior side. I was at West Perth before that in the WAFL and my mum is a Vigona and most of the Vigona’s from the Territory head to South Fremantle in the WAFL. I went to West Perth as my Dad was from Sydney and I did not have that connection to South Fremantle at the time. I later found out Benny Vigona was my uncle. I wore number eight because of my uncle Benny. My dad had a rugby background so I come from both codes. There is lots of connections there. Willie Rioli, at West Coast Eagles, is a first cousin as our mothers are sisters. When I was at Geelong, Willie was just a little baby, three or four years old as his dad was playing in Ballarat league. They would come watch me at Geelong all the time. Q How does the family feel about what has happened with Willie and his impending ASADA ban? A I have been on the phone to him a lot. It was a silly mistake which was made. He will learn from it and he will just have to go all through the process now that it has happened. He understands it now and I do not think he will do that again. It has emotionally drained him and he feels he has let everyone down. He will come back both stronger and better from the experience.