Player Watch #17 Maurice Rioli Jnr - Hamstring, 4 weeks

[Meteoric Rise]

He is first and foremost in the team to kick goals. He isn't doing that. Pressure acts are good but he doesn't do a lot of that either...so when that drops off....then what....kick goals?....He doesn't do that consistently either.

So where does that leave him then? He simply has to do more. At the very least as a small forward - average a goal per game (or close to that) would be a start....he can't even do that. It's very disappointing.

The trouble with your post is that you say he doesn't do a lot of pressure acts. He does.

2026 he is ranks 8th amongst general forward for pressure acts - roughly 70 general forwards take the field each week. If you narrowed that further to general forwards who don't attend any centre bounces, Maurice is in the top few.

2025 Maurice was AFL #7 for pressure acts amongst general forwards.

2024 he was AFL #7

2023 for some reason he was lower for pressure, he basically had a shocking season.

2022 his first season where he played more than 2 games he was was AFL #7 amongst general forward for pressure acts.

He is a consistently very high(top 5-10%) general forward for pressure. If you restricted the data to only the players who play full time as specialist general forwards and never in the midfield, he is right up there. So I don't get why you are saying he provides no pressure.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Sorry. No small forward will survive at AFL level by simply applying tackle pressure only in games. Need to kick goals too.

Yet he is surviving without kicking goals...

 

[Lunchtime]

Yet he is surviving without kicking goals...

The trouble with your post is that you say he doesn't do a lot of pressure acts. He does.

2026 he is ranks 8th amongst general forward for pressure acts - roughly 70 general forwards take the field each week. If you narrowed that further to general forwards who don't attend any centre bounces, Maurice is in the top few.

2025 Maurice was AFL #7 for pressure acts amongst general forwards.

2024 he was AFL #7

2023 for some reason he was lower for pressure, he basically had a shocking season.

2022 his first season where he played more than 2 games he was was AFL #7 amongst general forward for pressure acts.

He is a consistently very high(top 5-10%) general forward for pressure. If you restricted the data to only the players who play full time as specialist general forwards and never in the midfield, he is right up there. So I don't get why you are saying he provides no pressure.

It seems like you're quite satisfied with his overall output in his career. If he continues on this same trajectory for the rest of his career would you still be pleased?

 

[Meteoric Rise]

It is not just about today...its about his body of work throughout his 6-season career. Collectively it's nowhere near good enough.

If it was nowhere near good enough, then he would not be on our list. Noah Cumberland kicked way more goals and joined the list 1 year earlier than Maurice. But he was delisted.

I am not saying Maurice is shooting the lamps out but the coaches see value in what he does. Is he in the best 23 when all players are fully fit and available and the younger ones have developed a bit? This is all to be told.

You appear to me to be starting from a pre-conceived idea that a general forward must kick a certain amount of goals to be useful to the team. This is clearly not the way the club looks at it, the tales of Cumberland and Rioli show you that. Butler was let go and Castagna kept despite Butler kicking more goals. This would not be confined to Richmond.

Let me show you another stat. Score launches. In 2026 in the first 2 games Maurice got 1.5 per game. This is top 5 amongst general forwards. That is where you do the act that starts the chain where a score happens. This has not been such a strong stat for Maurice over recent seasons, but he has had a great start to 2026 in terms of causing scores.

 

[Lunchtime]

If it was nowhere near good enough, then he would not be on our list. Noah Cumberland kicked way more goals and joined the list 1 year earlier than Maurice. But he was delisted.

I am not saying Maurice is shooting the lamps out but the coaches see value in what he does. Is he in the best 23 when all players are fully fit and available and the younger ones have developed a bit? This is all to be told.

You appear to me to be starting from a pre-conceived idea that a general forward must kick a certain amount of goals to be useful to the team. This is clearly not the way the club looks at it, the tales of Cumberland and Rioli show you that. Butler was let go and Castagna kept despite Butler kicking more goals. This would not be confined to Richmond.

Let me show you another stat. Score launches. In 2026 in the first 2 games Maurice got 1.5 per game. This is top 5 amongst general forwards. That is where you do the act that starts the chain where a score happens. This has not been such a strong stat for Maurice over recent seasons, but he has had a great start to 2026 in terms of causing scores.

Yet Cumberland averaged 2.12 tackles per game, not too bad for a forward and slightly inferior to Maurice (2.72).

 

[Bird Man]

His last name and effort at the tackle gets people on their seats in what are dire years for this club. He won't be in our next prem side.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

It seems like you're quite satisfied with his overall output in his career. If he continues on this same trajectory for the rest of his career would you still be pleased?

Maurice is being dealt a dead man's hand. Actually watch him in play and ask yourself how many easy opportunities does he get. They are selecting him because they want a player to do what he is doing.

Put him in a gun team and not dealing with a constant outnumber and see how he gets on. I will bet good money you would say he earns his keep.

2022 his second year we performed well and were a free scoring team, he was just 19 when the season started. He had the highest rate of causing scores from turnover of any player in the AFL. From 63% average time on ground that year he average near enough 1 goal per game, had high pressure acts and tackles for his role. He also averaged 0.7 goal assists. These are tidy numbers for a small forward. He played a very decent final and kicked a great goal.

Is that because he was a better player than he is now? No. It is because the team was much better to play forward in. You would retain 2022 Maurice Rioli and delist 2026 Maurice Rioli. You would be delisting the better player and retaining the weaker player. But you don't realise it.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Yet Cumberland averaged 2.12 tackles per game, not too bad for a forward and slightly inferior to Maurice (2.72).

You think Cumberland was a better AFL footballer than Maurice Rioli?

 

[Lunchtime]

You think Cumberland was a better AFL footballer than Maurice Rioli?

At least he averaged a goal per game.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

At least he averaged a goal per game.

So Richmond delisted the better player and retained the worse player you think? How many goals you score is all that matters, is that what you think?

 

[GhostofJimJess]

At least he averaged a goal per game.

How many did he cost us though, with his opponents who just waltzed the footy out of their backline?

Cumberland is a poor choice is you wanted to make such a point.

 

[banzai]

It is not just about today...its about his body of work throughout his 6-season career. Collectively it's nowhere near good enough.

We wouldnt fill a team if we only played players who are good enough. Wed probably just have Lalor, Taranto and Vlastuin out there.

MRJ isnt great everyone can see that. But the only bit of todays game we looked good was a lot due to him. If you take him out we are probably rubbish for 4 quarters instead of 3.

 

[Lunchtime]

I want Maurice to do well. Maybe he isn't a forward? Maybe his best work is in the middle once his tank continues to improve.

 

[Wooden Robot]

If he as in the team to kick goals he would not be in the team. How obvious can that be?

he is in the team to supply pressure against nearly insurmountable odds, and does a great job given the task at hand.

Seems like no one is in our team to kick goals.
They're all there for pressure acts and to crash and bash packs and fill space.
At six goals per game - unless someone takes some responsibility to hit the scoreboard - we'll be being outplayed by most AFL half-time Auskick teams.

 

[Wooden Robot]

If it was nowhere near good enough, then he would not be on our list. Noah Cumberland kicked way more goals and joined the list 1 year earlier than Maurice. But he was delisted.

I am not saying Maurice is shooting the lamps out but the coaches see value in what he does. Is he in the best 23 when all players are fully fit and available and the younger ones have developed a bit? This is all to be told.

You appear to me to be starting from a pre-conceived idea that a general forward must kick a certain amount of goals to be useful to the team. This is clearly not the way the club looks at it, the tales of Cumberland and Rioli show you that. Butler was let go and Castagna kept despite Butler kicking more goals. This would not be confined to Richmond.

Let me show you another stat. Score launches. In 2026 in the first 2 games Maurice got 1.5 per game. This is top 5 amongst general forwards. That is where you do the act that starts the chain where a score happens. This has not been such a strong stat for Maurice over recent seasons, but he has had a great start to 2026 in terms of causing scores.

Any goals would be a plus .... he's not kicking any.
For someone who keeps bringing stats into it, it's a pretty important one.
Reality check: Butler's still playing; Castagna's long gone.

 

[db26]

People we're so critical of George he kicked a few goals and chased yet this guy gets praise for defence efforts that's a low bar

 

[Yze does it]

What did he do wrong today? 36 inside 50's. No key forward who has played more than 15 games and one of them got hurt. Playing a potential top 4 team interstate away. He gets 10 disposals, 3 contested, has two goal assists. Not saying he played a great game, but how could anyone expect him to do much better?

If you are reasonable and consider the whole context, then he did nothing wrong today, he made a contribution. And if you accept that, then why bring it up today?

People are against Maurice. There is a huge history on here of a lot of posters continuously running down our small forwards, even through our dynasty. Our small forwards are constantly outnumbered, because we like to push numbers back, and mostly as a result there is a spare defender for the opposition.

We all know Maurice is not a top class player, but he is better than many people here give him credit for.

9 goals from 36 I 50 last week Lynch plays a half. No goals for Lynch or Maurice again.

Taranto tackles more and more pressure acts

Kudos to MJ stayed fit and producing as good as he can. Better suited to a team with a good fwd line . Ours is actually the worst.
Sadly yze following the Dimma model. Except George, Dan and Dan could kick a goal a
Game each. Mark the footy and pressure.


MJ great chase down tackles in scorecard floggings

 

[fargothegreat]

Rioli's biggest problem is that he only runs in a straight line.

I think at some stage he'll probably be overtaken by one of our younger smalls.

 

[sanaya]

don't worry guys, he just needs another preseason before needing another preseason before needing another preseason and then he could start averaging 0.15 goals a game

 

[Grrr]

If it was nowhere near good enough, then he would not be on our list. Noah Cumberland kicked way more goals and joined the list 1 year earlier than Maurice. But he was delisted.

I am not saying Maurice is shooting the lamps out but the coaches see value in what he does. Is he in the best 23 when all players are fully fit and available and the younger ones have developed a bit? This is all to be told.

You appear to me to be starting from a pre-conceived idea that a general forward must kick a certain amount of goals to be useful to the team. This is clearly not the way the club looks at it, the tales of Cumberland and Rioli show you that. Butler was let go and Castagna kept despite Butler kicking more goals. This would not be confined to Richmond.

Let me show you another stat. Score launches. In 2026 in the first 2 games Maurice got 1.5 per game. This is top 5 amongst general forwards. That is where you do the act that starts the chain where a score happens. This has not been such a strong stat for Maurice over recent seasons, but he has had a great start to 2026 in terms of causing scores.

As an interest, where does Campbell sit for pressure acts, Mansell before injury as well. I would be they might be quite high.

Small forwards who kick goals add pressure where it counts most.

 

[sanaya]

As an interest, where does Campbell sit for pressure acts, Mansell before injury as well. I would be they might be quite high.

Small forwards who kick goals add pressure where it counts most.

Last year they were pretty much all equal with pressure acts and tackles, but Campbell had 1.3/0.8 (goals/behinds) a game, Mansell 0.9/0.8, and Rioli 0.4/0.2. Campbell and Mansell also had double the score involvements of Rioli which is higher than the difference of their individual scores so regardless of their own scores, they're also involved in creating more scores for others

Maurice also had the worst disposal efficiency last year out of our "general fwds"


It's too hard to do a stat check for this year because Mansell has only played 1 game where he fractured his wrist during the game (which was still a better game than any of maurice's for this year)


This year however Maurice is leading our smalls with pressure acts over the first 3 games (3rd on the team). It's funny because he's having a bit better of a year so far this year but it's still not what I would say is good from the stat sheet nor the eye test. Hopefully it's just a baseline that he can improve on with some goals. But like others have said, it's his 6th season as a small fwd, the one position you probably need the least time to "get"

 

[Trahanas22]

If he as in the team to kick goals he would not be in the team. How obvious can that be?

he is in the team to supply pressure against nearly insurmountable odds, and does a great job given the task at hand.

Have we watched the impact of the recent rule changes? Not just the old news stuff like the stand rule etc. The new, 2026 stuff. Do we have an understanding how the game is played now? Do we have an estimation of the value of a pure pressure forward currently? The answer is close to zero.

Richmond are struggling to kick seven goals per game and you are talking about the MRJ’s value at applying pressure. What pressure? How many teams apply the deep-lock teams in their defensive 50-pressure zone that Richmond utilised so successfully in 2017-2020? No a single one. Not even Richmond. Everyone floods these days.

This is the primary mode of defense now. The aim being slowing the rivals’ ball movement, especially through the midfield corridor. Opposing teams are allowed to reach their half-forward line relatively easily-but slowly-so there aren’t any one on one options available for them inside their attacking 50.

Which is what has been happening to Richmond for years now. Get the ball to half forward and then bomb it to outnumbered forwards. And why is that? Taranto, Hopper and Prestia as the starting mids. That’s why. A bunch of ball butchering tortoises. Richmond’s corridor ball movement seems to be the slowest and most clanger-infected in the whole comp. A torture to watch.

What matters now is indeed rapid ball movement either through the middle of the ground or the flanks (e.g. look at the Bulldogs’ handball game on the wings). Good skill mids, or quick mids or, even better, both (e.g. Lalor) are the cornerstone of good footy teams now. Quick, unbroken ball “chains” beat the flood. Offense is King now. What you do with the ball. Not what you do without it.

Good small forwards, suited to the current game trend, do two things well. Flood and kick opportunistic goals. Negating opposition scoring opportunities at their starting point, through deep inside forward 50 pressure, comes a distant third. That’s why teams don’t do it anymore. As a collective strategy is not effective any more. Under the modified rules. Old and new.

MRJ trying to apply pressure against all odds, you say. Looks alone out there, you say. Well, that’s because he is. The Tigers currently flood as a whole, but MRJ is-according to you anyway- a very successful one-man deep pressure “zone” by himself. Like a miraculous kamikaze who defies the space-time continuum and tackles from behind three or even four defenders at once.

In reality, he is just a novelty act. With very little value or importance in a collective defensive flood framework. A One trick pony, with a pretty much redundant single skill.

Yeah, those in charge know better, that’s why they pick him. Good to know that the Richmond hierarchy are infallible. Like the Pope. That explains why we have been crap -with various degrees and shades of crapness- for forty years and dynastically brilliant only for four.

Because they always know better...

 

[Lunchtime]

As an interest, where does Campbell sit for pressure acts, Mansell before injury as well. I would be they might be quite high.

Small forwards who kick goals add pressure where it counts most.

Exactly = scoreboard pressure.

 

[Achilles Heel]

Any goals would be a plus .... he's not kicking any.
For someone who keeps bringing stats into it, it's a pretty important one.
Reality check: Butler's still playing; Castagna's long gone.

Neither is anyone else

 

[energyquant]

Have we watched the impact of the recent rule changes? Not just the old news stuff like the stand rule etc. The new, 2026 stuff. Do we have an understanding how the game is played now? Do we have an estimation of the value of a pure pressure forward currently? The answer is close to zero.

Richmond are struggling to kick seven goals per game and you are talking about the MRJ’s value at applying pressure. What pressure? How many teams apply the deep-lock teams in their defensive 50-pressure zone that Richmond utilised so successfully in 2017-2020? No a single one. Not even Richmond. Everyone floods these days.

This is the primary mode of defense now. The aim being slowing the rivals’ ball movement, especially through the midfield corridor. Opposing teams are allowed to reach their half-forward line relatively easily-but slowly-so there aren’t any one on one options available for them inside their attacking 50.

Which is what has been happening to Richmond for years now. Get the ball to half forward and then bomb it to outnumbered forwards. And why is that? Taranto, Hopper and Prestia as the starting mids. That’s why. A bunch of ball butchering tortoises. Richmond’s corridor ball movement seems to be the slowest and most clanger-infected in the whole comp. A torture to watch.

What matters now is indeed rapid ball movement either through the middle of the ground or the flanks (e.g. look at the Bulldogs’ handball game on the wings). Good skill mids, or quick mids or, even better, both (e.g. Lalor) are the cornerstone of good footy teams now. Quick, unbroken ball “chains” beat the flood. Offense is King now. What you do with the ball. Not what you do without it.

Good small forwards, suited to the current game trend, do two things well. Flood and kick opportunistic goals. Negating opposition scoring opportunities at their starting point, through deep inside forward 50 pressure, comes a distant third. That’s why teams don’t do it anymore. As a collective strategy is not effective any more. Under the modified rules. Old and new.

MRJ trying to apply pressure against all odds, you say. Looks alone out there, you say. Well, that’s because he is. The Tigers currently flood as a whole, but MRJ is-according to you anyway- a very successful one-man deep pressure “zone” by himself. Like a miraculous kamikaze who defies the space-time continuum and tackles from behind three or even four defenders at once.

In reality, he is just a novelty act. With very little value or importance in a collective defensive flood framework. A One trick pony, with a pretty much redundant single skill.

Yeah, those in charge know better, that’s why they pick him. Good to know that the Richmond hierarchy are infallible. Like the Pope. That explains why we have been crap -with various degrees and shades of crapness- for forty years and dynastically brilliant only for four.

Because they always know better...

A lot of good insights here. The point about MRJ as a lone ranger pressure forward is certainly spot on. He doesn't actually get up and down the ground the way a modern small forward does.

Jack Ginnivan has much greater impact for the Hawks than MRJ does for the Tigers. Let that sink in for a moment.