View Full Version : How much longer can we keep Rioli on our list?
Im not doubting this ability/skills and potential, but with all the injuries and his lack of fitness...Im wondering if the club should bite the bullet and let him go at the end of the season. I just cant see him making any inroads at his age and with the game getting increasingly faster. Any thoughts?
Longy413
28 Apr 2006, 16:39
We'll know by the end of the year. I wouldn't be making an assumption based purely on Tuesday.
Wolfpac
29 Apr 2006, 22:46
The thing with Rioli is that he is pure class. He can do things that can amaze me. Like on Anzac Day when he set up a goal by dodging and weaving and juggling the ball on a string. I don't care about fitness when someone can do great things because of talent.
Darealrath
29 Apr 2006, 23:11
As long as we have him on an almost purely performance based contract i'm happy to keep him on the list. Our list doesn't have enough depth to just delist him unless it's obvious his body just can't do it anymore.
adam1300
30 Apr 2006, 08:50
no need to worry about Rioli yet at least he has skills & has done something, id be more so looking at old bolton & hennoman again, these guys have been on the list a lot longer than rioki has!:confused:
MrAaron
30 Apr 2006, 08:52
He'll play this and next seaosn and might retire depending if he gets anymore decent injuries and if that is the case, I would sign him right back up as a part time skills coach, develope the coaching side of him, he certainly has the skills of a champion, just that he is far 2 much injury prone.
Stargazer
30 Apr 2006, 19:52
Play "another year?" Aaron you're living in a dream world buddy ! I know he was quoted as saying in the media recently as planning on retiring at the end of 2007, but as far as I'm concerned, once Rio has posted his 100th game (father/son) then that should be it.
Unfit,over weight,too slow,too injury prone - we've been exceedingly patient with him and by season's end Dean Rioli should be encouraged to ride off into the sunset........
essendon
30 Apr 2006, 19:54
As long as Sheedy is there so will these great players be there
Based on recent media reports looks as though rioli might retire by the end of the season. His goal is to reach the 100 games (is on 97 atm), he might retire mid season, that is of course if he can play the 3 games.
Longy413
5 May 2006, 15:08
I doubt he'll retire midseason.
If he gets through the season without too much hassle with his knee he'll go around again.
As long as Sheedy is there so will these great players be there Rioli a 'great player'? Handy, but hardly 'great'. One thing about our game is that terms such as legend, champion and 'the great man' get so abused that their true meaning is diluted. If Rioli is a great player, what were Polly Farmer, Wayne Carey, Leigh Matthews, etc?
Longy413
5 May 2006, 16:38
Another thing about our game is that people take things far to literally.
I think it's quite obvious he wasn't suggesting Rioli is in the class of Carey etc.
He does have great skills, he has great ability, he hasn't had a great output.
The Big Pineapple
5 May 2006, 18:33
I think the real question should be how much longer can you keep Reynolds, Johns, Cole and Henneman on your list?
bigbomber
6 May 2006, 14:56
I think the real question should be how much longer can you keep Reynolds, Johns, Cole and Henneman on your list?
reynolds is still young and has been injury prone so we still have to give him a chance to prove himself. Same with Johns.Cole has not even played a game yet and remember we have only just started the season and its his first year at our club so we have to wait and see what he offers to the team aswell. henneman i do agree with though.
blumfieldisback
6 May 2006, 23:06
1 more game and his gone rioli, pity we cant say the same to bolton, henneman and campo
People need to get a grip, Campo was doing fine before his injury, he can contribute a lot to the club in the next 3 odd years.
If anyone else did there hammy no one would be calling for there heads.
I just can't believe Bolton keeps getting a friggin game
essendon
7 May 2006, 16:18
He keeps getting a game b/c we have no one else
you bloody sour essendon supporters....we are a developing club, stop pointing the finger and wait for the team to develop....Rioli has done nothing wrong this season. he is getting 8-15p's per game and they are very effective, he never wastes opportunities going forward. i'd much prefer a dean rioli playing 11 highly skilled games a year than a kid that isn't going anywhere playing 15-20 games
red+black
7 May 2006, 18:50
I agree. DO NOT point your finger in Rioli's face.
He is a hungry boy remember.
monfries_young-gun
7 May 2006, 21:43
2 more games, so he can get his name on the locker.