There could be another Rioli at Tigerland in 2021, with Richmond keen to secure father-son prospect Maurice Rioli Jnr in this yearโs AFL Draft, reports AFL Media.
Rioli, the son of former Richmond legend and Norm Smith Medallist of the same name, has expressed his keen interest to head to Punt Road in 2021 and beyond.
Using next years picks would make sense given the probable Maurice Rioli Junior F/S pick.
I'm not expecting anything to come of it but it's fun to speculate and discuss a bit.
โ Bigfooty Tigercast (@BFtigercast) October 15, 2019
Richmond recruiting manager Matt Clarke told AFLโs Road to the Draft podcast that the club has kept in touch with him throughout what has been the toughest year for the draftees in Victoria.
โHeโs been doing some work on his own as much as he can, Itโs been difficult for Maurice and a lot of those boys who probably needed some more exposure through their school footy this year, he said.
โHeโs got a lot of talent. Weโve obviously done some work with him, heโs been at the club last year just briefly, but weโre keeping an eye on his progress for sure.โ
Rioli kicked four goals in a best afield effort for St Maryโs in the NTFL semi final this year, before he boarded for Melbourneโs Scotch College this year.
Clarke hinted that Rioli is expected to go later on in the Draft, with rivals also considering when to place a bid on him.
โHeโll be a discussion point for us at some point in the draft, I would have thought or the rookie draftโฆ whatever it looks like,โ he said.
โHeโs got a bit of work to do Mauriceโฆ but it would have been good (to have) another season for him, whether if it was even six to eight games as they originally planned.โ
