Daniel Rioli says his uncle Maurice Rioli Jr is “flying” on the monitor as Richmond gamers get pleasure from an uncommon coaching camp in Apollo Bay.
Rioli mentioned coach Damien Hardwick had stored the Tigers guessing on the primary two days of their pre-season journey, with actions together with aggressive sandcastle constructing and kayaking used as workforce bonding workouts.
While he proved a revelation along with his line-breaking run and glorious ball use off halfback in 2022, Rioli mentioned he was discovering gaining metres considerably tougher with a paddle in hand.
“Definitely not me and Bigoa (Nyuon),” he mentioned when requested on Wednesday who the standouts had been on the water.
“We both went sideways in and out of the lake – we ended up on the sandbank, then back in the river and back on the sandbank.
“A few blokes are pretty natural at it, but I’d say probably not me and Biggie. Definitely not Biggie.”
Rioli mentioned the enjoying group had been stored at nighttime over what was to come back on the camp.
“Dimma always keeps it close to his chest, he doesn’t give much, just that smirky look and tries to get us a bit jittery and nervous,” he mentioned.
“It’s a mystery – we just see what activities we’re about to do, and if it’s hiking, if it’s mountain bike riding, it’s definitely not going to be easy.”
Rioli mentioned uncle Maurice Rioli Jr had been a standout on the coaching monitor over the pre-season and was prone to spend extra time up the sphere because the Richmond coaches work with him to extend his scoreboard influence.
Rioli Jr solely averaged one objective and eight disposals per sport in 2022, however his defensive efforts outshone the league’s premier small forwards, forcing essentially the most scores from turnovers of any participant throughout the home-and-away season.
“I think the coaches have full faith in Maurice to go and enter the stoppage at any stage – if Shai (Bolton) doesn’t want to go into stoppages he can take Maurice and say, ‘Go into the stoppage and play there for a bit’,” Daniel mentioned.
“Maurice is growing into any role now and the coaches are really having faith in what he can bring on the field.
“The more games he plays, a lot better he’s going to be for us offensively, and obviously defensively he doesn’t have to worry about because he’s been very good for us in that area.”
Nyuon had additionally impressed in coaching and will contend for a spot within the again six with Josh Gibcus sidelined with a hamstring damage, Rioli mentioned.
Richmond will play North Melbourne in a six-quarter scratch match at Arden Street on February 24, with an official follow match locked in at Casey Fields in opposition to Melbourne on march 4.
Source: www.news.com.au
