Footy Fix: Freo's skipper is BACK - and he's making the Dockers' defence great again
Alex Pearce won't get any Brownlow Medal votes for his performance on Friday night at Optus Stadium. If there was a medal to be…
There has never been any question marks about William Rioli’s natural talent.
It takes a rare ability to kick 50-plus goals, including a five-goal Chaney Medal-winning performance, as a 17-year-old for St Marys in the NTFL.
But Rioli’s biggest knock from recruiters was always concerning his body shape and fitness.
But now Rioli is 21 years old and is a much more matured footballer after spending the last two seasons with SANFL club Glenelg.
“When I was playing in the NTFL, my weight was a big issue, that’s why I wanted to go to Adelaide to get my body right at play at the second highest level.” Rioli said on Mix 104.9’s Balls ‘n’ All with Jacko.
“I wanted to challenge myself in another league to further my football, and I knew my stay in Adelaide wouldn’t be long if I didn’t get my body and fitness right.”
Over the past two seasons, Rioli has proven himself as one of the most exciting young prospects in the SANFL.
He turned heads with a four-goal performance in the SANFL state game against the VFL representative side.
Rioli said that watching family members, Cyril and Daniel, play good football in the AFL has made him even hungrier to join them at the top level.
“It definitely makes me more hungry (watching Cyril and Daniel).
“I’ve also seen a lot of good mates make it and it has made me push a lot harder in the SANFL.”
“I got a program off the fitness coach in Adelaide and I have been doing a lot of running there and back home.”
“I haven’t stopped running since the season has ended.”
Twitter – @JClark182
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