‘A great mentor’: Rioli moves up the pecking order in Tigers stalwart’s footsteps
Richmond small forward Maurice Rioli jnr has inherited the Tigers’ No. 10 jumper from triple premiership player Shane Edwards, continuing the jumper’s Indigenous link.
Rioli, whose father Maurice Rioli played 118 games for the Tigers, previously wore the No. 49 in 17 games over the past two years, 15 last season, where he kicked 14 goals and came to be known for his defensive pressure while up forward.
Maurice Rioli jnr with his new number on Friday.Credit:Eddie Jim
He said it was a great honour to accept Edwards’ offer of taking over the No. 10 after the fan-favourite veteran hung up the boots at the end of last season following an illustrious 303-game playing career.
“It’s an honour to be asked to have it handed down to me,” Rioli said. “It’s an honour to be wearing the number 10.”
Rioli said Edwards was a player he, and numerous young Indigenous kids, looked up to.
“He’s been a great mentor. A lot of love, a lot of stories we’ve shared … he’s a great fella and legend of the club and someone I’ll keep looking up to over the years.”
Rioli with Melbourne Indigenous Transition School students at Richmond on Friday.Credit:Eddie Jim
In a video posted to social media Edwards told Rioli he was extremely proud and wished him the best, although he warned he might need cotton wool for his ears being so close to No. 8 Jack Riewoldt in the locker room.
“I haven’t wiped the smile off my face since we talked about you being in the No. 10, Maurice. I’m extremely proud that you want to share this connection over the remainder of your career, which will no doubt be a long one,” said Edwards.
“Since the days you walked through the doors at Punt Road, even before you were drafted, you’ve been one of my favourite teammates, one of the best blokes getting around and you’ve worked really hard to get to the point where you are now. And I’ve no doubt you’ll continue to work extremely hard.”
Edwards added that he would be “sitting back and smiling” every time he saw Rioli play in the yellow and black.
“Every time you get a kick, you tap the ball on, you chase someone down, every time the opposition just kicks it because they’re scared of knowing that you’re around there in the forward line.”
Rioli, however, said the advice he received from Edwards on the jumper was simple. “Make it look good,” he said with a laugh.
Rioli added if the AFL was to introduce an Indigenous all-star pre-season match against a multicultural team, he would be proud to be selected.
“It would be very exciting to play against any former teammates and play footy with all the other Indigenous players that you’ve never played with before, only against.”
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