Rischitelli’s positive return

MICHAEL Rischitelli has made a successful return from injury through the Gold Coast Suns NEAFL side who came within a kick of drawing with rivals Brisbane Lions.

The veteran got through just over a half of football on Saturday, 11 months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Lions in Round 16 of the AFL season.

Former Suns teammate and stand-in reserves coach Nick Malceski, who suffered multiple ACL injuries in his career, said Rischitelli’s comeback in the 12.13 (85) to 11.14 (80) loss was flawless.

“I just told him to go and enjoy himself,” Malceski said.

“He played at halfback so he dictated where he went and how hard he went. I was really pleased with him.

“He started slow but built into it. After being through a few (ACL injuries) myself, it’s probably more a mental thing coming back for your first game after having 11 months out of football.”

Gold Coast trailed Brisbane by no more than 18 points at each of the first breaks and levelled the scores multiple times in the final quarter.

In-form forward Darcy Macpherson had the chance to seal a draw for the Suns with a set shot from 35m out in front of goal in the final 20 seconds but the rookie could only manage a behind.

Malceski praised the performance of Gold Coast, who fielded 17-AFL listed players and lost Jarrad Grant (groin) and academy player Kai Sheers (concussion) before halftime, against a Lions team who were all AFL-listed .

“I was really happy with the boys,” Malceski said.