Port Adelaide recruit Junior Rioli has revealed how a kayaking mishap has helped shield him from the majority of the pre-match banter main as much as Friday’s follow match towards his previous facet West Coast.
Rioli, a premiership participant at West Coast, will line up towards his former teammates at Mineral Resources Park on Friday for the primary time since his shock defection to Port Adelaide on the finish of final season.
But if Eagles gamers have been attempting to bait him forward of the sport, it’s fallen on deaf ears.
“My phone fell in the water kayaking a few weeks ago, so I only just got it back,” Rioli informed reporters on Thursday.
“I’ve been on the iPad for a couple of weeks.
“I’m excited to get back over there and see some familiar faces and hopefully catch up with people who I had a lot to do with in my footy career over there.
“’I’ve still got a good connection over there. I left on good terms and I’ve still got all my good family and friends and people I talk to.”
Rioli’s profession was virtually delivered to an finish after he copped a two-year ban for twice substituting his urine throughout two separate anti-doping exams.
His return to the sector final 12 months yielded simply 13 video games attributable to damage, however he’s taken his health to a brand new degree at Port.
“Being in the system so long, you learn to listen to the guys … like my dietician and the weights coach,” Rioli mentioned.
“I’ve taken more feedback from them. Before I used to shy away from that, I used to think I could play on talent.
“Now I’m leaning more on trying to get my body in a good shape where I can stay longer on the park and maximise my footy ability.
“I’ve focused more on the gym and what I’m eating at home.
“That’s helped me not pull up tight at training. I’ve been able to recover quicker by having more muscle on.”
Rioli has been impressed by listening to the tales of how different athletes, akin to these within the NBA and NFL, have been capable of get the utmost from their our bodies.
And nearer to house, former Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli performed an vital position in serving to Junior keep match and motivated throughout the low season.
“We don’t really talk about football as much. We just pretty much train,” Junior mentioned about his cousin Cyril.
“I had him and a couple of my other relatives train with us (when I went back home). A lot of hill runs. I’m grateful for that.”
Rioli has excessive hopes for what Port can obtain, saying the membership possesses sufficient expertise to problem for this 12 months’s flag.
West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui will miss Friday’s conflict with a sore Achilles tendon, becoming a member of Jack Darling (ankle) on the sidelines.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
