2003
Dean Rioli was in the best physical shape of his career in season 2003. After an intensive pre-season program in which he shed 8kgs, Rioli was set for a big season. The 25-year-old was moved into the mid-field and gave the Bombers’ engine room some extra grunt. Rioli again displayed his silky smooth skills and classy foot work at times throughout the season and was also handy up forward. In his 18 outings he added 12 goals to the scoreboard.
STRENGTHS
Rioli’s silky smooth skills is one of the highlights of his game – whether passing by hand or foot Rioli delivers with pinpoint accuracy and rarely misses a target. Rioli’s play making ability and vision in spotting loose teammates makes him an exciting player to watch.
POSITION
2003 saw Rioli move into the mid-field. His fitness was not sufficient to spend the entire game in the centre, so he also spent time across half-back, on the wing and forward. It is a tough call summing up where Rioli plays his best football because he is useful all over the ground. It is more than likely that Rioli will play where the team most needs him in 2004.
2004
It is becoming repetitive but all so true, that Essendon supporters are yet to see the best of Dean Rioli. With a full pre-season under his belt and providing he can stay injury and suspension free this season, hopefully we will see an in-form Rioli. He has the talent and skills to be one of the Bombers’ top line players, he just needs to put it into action this season. A fit and firing Rioli should signal warning signs to opposition clubs.
WHAT SHEEDY SAYS
There are always critics of Dean because of the size of him. He looks the fittest we have seen him for quite some time. It is pretty hard to trim down those tree trunk legs of his. Dean Rioli in many ways is not unlike Leigh Matthews’ body size and power when he played. He is not going to be Michael Tuck or Kevin Bartlett – Dean Rioli and his family are big strong people. What we can do is get him as fit as possible and then let him play a fairly powerful game whether it is off half-back or in the forward line.
