West Coast’s pre-season conflict with Port Adelaide is about to carry extra weight than most scratch matches, with Eagle-turned-Power ahead Junior Rioli revealing he marked it down in his diary after arriving at his new membership.
The West Coast premiership ahead moved to the Power on the finish of 2022 as a part of a four-club mega deal following a shock commerce request, in a transfer that Eagles chief govt Trevor Nisbett labelled “bitterly disappointing”.
Rioli, 27, is about to don the teal for the primary time in an intra-club hit-out earlier than returning to Mineral Resources Park to tackle his former membership in a six-period match simulation on Friday, February 24 – lower than a fortnight away.
“I marked it down as soon as I got here,” Rioli informed Port’s AGM on Friday.
“I’ve got no issue with (West Coast). I’m just grateful to be here where I know I’ll get the best out of myself.”
Rioli performed 52 video games throughout six seasons for the Eagles however sat out the whole 2020 and 2021 seasons following a two-year ban for substituting a urine pattern.
A transfer again to South Australia, the place he performed SANFL at Glenelg, was not properly obtained by the Eagles, who ultimately agreed to a commerce that enabled the membership to separate choose No.2 for 2 first-round draft picks.
Both gamers drafted with these picks, Reuben Ginbey (choose No.9) and Elijah Hewett (choose No.13) might characteristic within the follow match.
Rioli additionally spoke glowingly of the help proven by his new group in what could possibly be perceived as a dig at his former membership’s tradition.
“Coming over here, I feel like there’s great support around me and that will get the best out of me,” he stated.
“I’ve got (Shaun Burgoyne) looking out for me. He’s my mentor and if I can get close to as many games as he got to I’d be happy. But there (are) so many great leaders and legends at the club.
“That’s what I like seeing with some of the past players involved in the group and coming down to training.
“Growing up in the community, family is a big thing and culture, and I feel like this club has that in spades.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
