Tragically, he re-injured the hamstring late in the game but by the time the damage was done he had inflicted enough on Port Adelaide’s to seal the visitor’s fate. Bomber officials are hopeful Rioli may only be sidelined for two weeks.
Rioli, who had missed the previous five matches with a hamstring injury started the night on the bench. But he had an immediate when Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy cut him loose. He set up goals for Matthew Lloyd and Mark McVeigh before kicking one himself in an explosive 30 minutes of football.
At half-time Rioli had collected 10 disposals (seven kicks and three handballs), collected two hard balls, four loose balls and pumped the ball inside 50m a game-high five times. Rioli returned after the main break and it was more of the same – a courageous mark and pass to Lloyd set up another goals and a 39-point break.
He finished the night with 18 quality possessions and his impact wasn’t lost on assistant coach Mark Harvey.
""His awareness is fantastic. He just brings so many players into the game. Without doubt the most disappointing aspect of tonight’s game is that it appears Dean has re-injured his hamstring,"" Harvey said after the game.
""We rarely get beaten when Dean is in the side and playing well because he does so many of the little things at stoppages that go unnoticed. He bumps, he blocks, he shepherds - he is just a class player.
""Much of his good work goes unnoticed by those watching the game, but his teammates know how much he means to the structure and set up of the team. The whole club will now encourage him and get behind him as much as possible to get him back playing.""
