Career: 1999-2006

Games: 100

Dean Rioli had a silky touch that was the envy of many, but ultimately it was injuries that curbed his brilliance.

Of solid frame, but particularly sharp over short distances, Rioli played 100 games for Essendon.

He was picked up in the 1998 Rookie Draft and added polish to the dominant Essendon sides that enjoyed so many victories between 1999-2001.

The nephew of the great Maurice Rioli, Dean played only five games during the 2000 premiership season.  On the eve of the finals, he broke his collarbone, ruling him our of the September action.  While the images of James Hird and Kevin Sheedy lifting the cup ignite a sense of pride for Essendon fans, the vision of a distraught Rioli ruing his missed opportunity also creates significant emotion.  

Rioli battled constant back problems throughout his career.  He played four games in 2006, his final season in the AFL.  Painfully, but somewhat fittingly, Rioli ended his injury-riddled career with a broken wrist in his final game against Richmond.

Have you got a favourite Dean Rioli memory?