Maurice Rioli enters Australian Football Hall of Fame

MAURICE Rioli might be more known on the national stage for his feats at Richmond, but in his 168 games for South Fremantle he cemented himself as one of the best and most excited players to ever don the Mighty Red V.

Rioli’s career with South Fremantle began as a teenager in 1975 and over the next six seasons he delivered some remarkable football including a starring role in the 1980 premiership victory, and then earning a Simpson Medal in 1981 grand final as well.

He would go on to join Richmond in the then VFL playing 118 matches over the next six years playing 118 games, winning the Tigers’ best and fairest in 1982 and 1983, a Norm Smith Medal in the losing grand final of 1982 and finishing second in the 1983 Brownlow Medal.

He would return to South Fremantle in 1988 to finish his career for three more seasons including two as captain and his career at the Bulldogs ended with 168 matches and 133 goals of the very highest order.

During his amazing career, Rioli ended with three Simpson Medals, a Norm Smith Medal, the Richmond best and fairest and being a three-time All-Australian as well as representing Western Australia 13 times and Northern Territory on seven occasions.

Since his retirement the Rioli legend has continued to grow and he has been named as a Legend in the Northern Territory Football Hall of Fame, has been including into both WA Football and South Fremantle’s Hall of Fame, and now is a deserved inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Rioli joins South Fremantle greats Stephen Michael, John Todd, Steve Marsh, Peter Matera, Glen Jakovich and Peter Bell in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The ‘big-game player’ tag was conceived with players like Maurice Rioli in mind.

The brilliant Rioli was adjudged best-afield in three successive grand finals – the 1980 and 1981 WAFL deciders with South Fremantle, and the 1982 VFL play-off with Richmond.

Two of these medal-winning efforts came after defeats.

The visionary centreman was the first member of a losing team to win a Norm Smith Medal – there are now four – when the Tigers went down to Carlton, despite Rioli’s 18 kicks and equal game-high three goals.

A trailblazer for Tiwi Islanders in the then-VFL, Rioli won best and fairest awards in his first two seasons at Tigerland (1982-83), also finishing runner-up in the 1983 Brownlow Medal.

Former Richmond teammate Dale Weightman was in awe of Rioli’s talents.

“He didn’t talk much, but he let his footy do the talking, and he was poetry in motion,” Weightman said.

“Pure class, silky-smooth, a great ball-handler, a great dodger and weaver, and a beautiful left-foot kick.

“He always seemed to have time and he never lost his feet – he had unbelievable balance.”

Rioli was also dangerous without the ball, being credited with an equal season-high eight tackles in a game in 1987, the first year tackles were recorded.

“He was ahead of his time with his tackling,” Weightman said.

“He’d say (to teammates), ‘Hey brother, you’ve gotta draw from the hips like a gunfighter.’ That’s how he wrapped them up and made sure he didn’t go too high.”

Like most Aboriginal players of his era, Rioli was subjected to racism. His experience as a state amateur boxing champion came in handy.

“There was a lot flying around in those days and he handled it pretty well because he could fight,” Weightman said. “He’d just give a little one-two and the bloke learnt his lesson.”

Weightman, a champion rover, gave an insight into what it was like to play alongside Rioli in the midfield.

“It was like playing state football with Greg Williams – he didn’t say much but you were thinking the same and you knew what he was doing and vice versa,” he said.

“And he’d always give you the ball and deliver it well if you were the best option.”

Enhancing Rioli’s greatness were his performances for Australia against Ireland in Gaelic football series in 1984 (in Ireland) and 1986, along with the fact he captained Western Australia and was selected in three All-Australian teams following carnivals in 1983 and 1986 (WA) and 1988 (NT).

Rioli, who died suddenly at 53 on Christmas Day in 2010 and received a state funeral in the Northern Territory, had a profound influence on his people, including members of his extended family who followed in his footsteps – the likes of Michael Long and nephew Cyril Rioli, both of whom also won Norm Smith Medals, and great-nephew Daniel Rioli, who is making his way at Richmond in his old No. 17.

FACTFILE: MAURICE RIOLI
Clubs: South Fremantle, Richmond
Born: September 1, 1957
Recruited from: St Marys (NT)
Playing career: 1975-90 (SF 1975-81, 1988-90; Rich 1982-87)
Games: 286 (SF 168; Rich 118)
Goals: 213 (SF 133; Rich 80)
Player honours: 2nd Brownlow Medal 1983; Rich best & fairest 1982, 1983; Norm Smith Medal 1982; All-Australian 1983, 1986, 1988; SF premiership 1980; SF captain 1988-89; Indigenous Team of the Century; International Rules representative (6 games); WA representative (13 games); NT representative (7 games); Simpson Medal 1980, 1981, 1983; SF Hall of Fame; WA Football Hall of Fame; NT Football Hall of Fame (Legend)

Courtesy of Ben Collins, afl.com.au