2016 Draft Watch

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

I watched Graham (and young Jarman) play on Saturday (against Scharenberg)

Graham is a beast. The knock on Jarman is that he inherited some of his uncle Andrew's traits (doesn't exert himself hard enough)

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2016/7/rioli-heroics-gets-glenelg-home-in-an-epic-sanfl-comeback/

Do we want an exciting small forward that will fade in and out of games, then do the impossible and win the game of his own boot, and get bums on seats?


Love this kid!

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/...anfl-comeback/

Do we want an exciting small forward that will fade in and out of games, then do the impossible and win the game of his own boot, and get bums on seats?


Love this kid!

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/3576/

[EasternWest]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/...anfl-comeback/

Do we want an exciting small forward that will fade in and out of games, then do the impossible and win the game of his own boot, and get bums on seats?


Love this kid!

I wouldn't describe Stringer as a small forward.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/3579/

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-footy-sa/sanfl/how-glenelgs-willie-rioli-went-from-sanfl-wannabe-to-afl-draft-prospect/news-story/cebdf1dbcee5caaa9230b64240796c15

How Glenelg’s Willie Rioli went from SANFL wannabe to AFL draft prospect
ANDREW CAPEL, The Advertiser
July 29, 2016 6:00pm

WILLIE Rioli has turned the flab into fab.

Glenelg’s small forward sensation has revealed he has lost an incredible 16kg — and slashed his skinfolds from a reading of 140 to 50 — since arriving at Tigerland 18 months ago.

Once an overweight 90kg - slow, unathletic and having the diet of a fast-food addict - Rioli has turned his career — and life — around to such an extent that he is almost certain to become the next Rioli to join AFL ranks.

A four-goal star for SA in this year’s State League win against Victoria at Adelaide Oval, Rioli thrust his name further in front of AFL talent scouts last Sunday when he virtually won the round 17 match against Norwood off his own boot.

The 21-year-old, who has vacuum-like hands and is an elite kick and decision maker, kicked five second-half goals, including four of the Tigers’ five in the last term, as they stormed back from a 25-point three-quarter time deficit to win by six points.

Rioli’s fourth goal tied the scores and his fifth, which came as the final siren sounded, put them in front.

It was the exclamation mark on Rioli’s dramatic turnaround with Glenelg coach Matthew Lokan saying “it’s a testament to how far Willie has come in the past 18 months’’.

“He’s always had the ability to turn games but his fitness was an issue,’’ said Lokan.

“For him to have changed his body shape from someone who wasn’t conditioned to be able to compete and play really good SANFL footy is a real credit to him.

“His ability to hit the scoreboard, create forward pressure and cover more ground than he was once able to do has been really impressive and I’m sure AFL clubs are now looking closely at him.’’

Despite carrying the famous Rioli name, that sort of assessment wasn’t going to come when he arrived at Glenelg from NTFL club Tiwi Bombers in January last year.

He was in poor physical condition and he didn’t like the change of scenery.

“I wasn’t really interested in being here at first,’’ he said.

“But dad (Willie Rioli Sr) told me I had to go to Adelaide to further my football.

“He was always pushing me to become a better player because he knows the potential that I have.’’

The Northern Territory product’s landing in Adelaide wasn’t quite as dramatic as that of Crows legend Andrew McLeod, who was famously dropped off by his dad Jock at the Port Adelaide (Magpies) Football Club and, with tears streaming down his face, told to make a name for himself.

But it was a shock to the 175cm Rioli’s system.

“I didn’t know what to expect,’’ said Rioli, who was offered a “trial run’’ at Glenelg by then coach Nick Stevens after consultation with Rioli’s manager, former Crow John Meesen.

“I was pretty big and had already missed half of pre-season training, so it was tough.’’

Rioli’s skills and footy-smarts were obvious to the Tigers from day one but he knew he had to quickly change his diet or his SANFL stay would be short.

The fast food was out and the salad was in.

“I just gave up the junk food and trained harder,’’ said Rioli, who says he has taken minutes, not seconds, off his 3km time trial since he first arrived at the Bay.

“I wanted to make my family proud and knew I had to do something about my eating habits if I was going to succeed here.

“In Darwin I wasn’t living to a routine, it’s a relaxed lifestyle where no-one really takes much notice of the time and I was just eating when I felt like it.

“With help from the club I decided to get fit and give my football a real go and things have turned out pretty well.’’

Known to his family and close friends as “Junior’’, Rioli boarded with Stevens and fellow Glenelg players Josh Scott and Lonnie Hampton for his first month in Adelaide, sleeping on the couch, before impressing enough to earn a contract.

In Round 1 last year he created history by becoming the first Rioli to play SANFL league football, having 10 disposals, laying 10 tackles and kicking a goal in the Good Friday clash against South Adelaide.

“It was a proud day for the family,’’ he said.

Rioli played 13 games in his debut season, averaging 11 disposals and kicking a modest 12 goals.

But his elite forward pressure and tackling ability created opportunities for teammates.

This season, with improved fitness — he shed 6kg last year and 10 this year — he has become an attacking weapon, booting 22 goals in 12 games.

“Not carrying so much weight around has given me more agility and allowed me to get up the ground more,’’ Rioli said.

“I’m so much fitter and stronger and hopefully I can finish off the season well and help Glenelg push for finals.’’

As for joining cousins Cyril (Hawthorn) and Daniel Rioli (Richmond) in the AFL next year, Willie, who now lives in his own place close to Glenelg Oval, has dared to dream but is keeping a lid on expectations.

“It’s always been my dream to play in the AFL but it’s not something I’m too worried about right now,’’ he said.

“I just want to play well and let my footy do the talking.’’

He is doing just that.
Continuing tradition of football royalty
THE famous bloodlines run thick.

Willie Rioli Jr says his football journey has been inspired by being a member of a family whose name is football royalty.

Two Riolis — Maurice (Richmond) and Cyril Jr (Hawthorn) — have won the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in a VFL-AFL grand final, while this week three Riolis were named in a 40-man shortlist for the Northern Territory’s team of the century.

They were Maurice, who won the Norm Smith Medal in 1982, and Cyril jnr, who won it last year.

The other was local legend Cyril Rioli Sr, who played for St Marys in the NT and South Fremantle in the WAFL.

Willie’s dad, Willie Sr, was the youngest of seven brothers, including Maurice, who were born on the tiny Tiwi Islands, 15 minutes by light plane north of Darwin and with a population of 3600.

Willie Sr was drafted by Hawthorn in 1990 but didn’t play an AFL game.

He forged a successful career in the WAFL and NTFL and now coaches the Tiwi Bombers.

Apart from Maurice and Cyril Jr, former Essendon forward Dean Rioli and current Richmond small forward Daniel Rioli have played AFL.

A host of other relatives have also made their mark with South Fremantle and in the NTFL.

Willie Jr’s cousins Ben and Shannon play for the NT Thunder.

“Dad put a footy in my hands when I was an infant and I’ve never looked back,’’ said Willie Jr.

“I can’t remember life without a footy.’’

Willie Jr didn’t see uncle Maurice play but he grew up watching cousin Dean strut his stuff for Essendon in 100 games from 1999-2006, where he became a passionate Bombers fan.

He is close to both Daniel and Cyril Jr and was inundated with text messages from them after his matchwinning cameo for Glenelg against Norwood.

Willie Jr is also related to former Crow and Cat Ronnie Burns on his mum’s side of the family, while uncle Benny Vigona was a star for South Fremantle.

Willie Jr’s football journey has taken him from Darwin to Perth to Melbourne to Adelaide.

He boarded at Melbourne’s Xavier College for two years where he spent his weekends at Cyril Jr’s house helping himself to his football boots.

“We wear the same-sized boots so he would let me use his as often as I liked,’’ Willie Jr said.

They are big shoes to fill but Wille Jr is putting his best foot forward.

andrew.capel@news.com.au

[GVGjr]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

Despite being a bit ill with a cold I was in dire need of a footy fix this weekend I have watched a few TAC finals games.

Just watched an exciting and close game between Sandringham and Eastern Ranges.
Sandringham are packed with quality players and three that stood out today were Andrew McGrath, Tim Taranto and Corey Lyons
McGrath is an excellent attacking small defender who has been rated highly all season. Taranto is a forward/midfielder who possess a great left foot kick and Lyons (Brother of Jarryd) is a bit of a ball magnet.

Has anyone else ventured along this weekend?

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

yeah, i went to the Glenelg vs Eagles u18 SANFL Prelim final today. Big Ruckman Tim Sullivan, who missed out the draft last year after missing 12 months with an ACL. was BOG for mine. (Very) small forward Ian Milera turned the game with an amazing burst in the second half. Most other players had their moments (Including defender Sam Walker) but faded in and out. Didnt pay attention to the Eagles players. AIS player Darcy Fogarty one to watch for next year. Fierce attack on the ball/player.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

From Glenelg

my predicts for drafts


Certainty

Jonty Scharenberg
Sam Walker

Big Chance

Willie Rioli
Josh Scott
Mitchell Hinge


Maybe

Liam Mackie

[Mofra]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

yeah, i went to the Glenelg vs Eagles u18 SANFL Prelim final today. Big Ruckman Tim Sullivan, who missed out the draft last year after missing 12 months with an ACL. was BOG for mine. (Very) small forward Ian Milera turned the game with an amazing burst in the second half. Most other players had their moments (Including defender Sam Walker) but faded in and out. Didnt pay attention to the Eagles players. AIS player Darcy Fogarty one to watch for next year. Fierce attack on the ball/player.

Do you think Sullivan is draft or rookie relevant this year? Seems to be a few big kids around.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

Do you think Sullivan is draft or rookie relevant this year? Seems to be a few big kids around.

Not really. He's not really that big nor that mobile. He needs to play more like Grundy really.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

Watching Sandringham vs Dandenong today. Not a high standard at the moment but plenty of potential drafted players on display.

The coach ix even having a look at his boy playing today

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

And what did you make of the coaches son?

[GVGjr]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

And what did you make of the coaches son?

Decent player, not elite and made a couple of good tackles. His skill level was OK

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2016 Draft Watch

I haven't had a chance to watch much underage footy this year.

Any standout players firming for you GVG, and a couple of smokies for later in the draft?