Player Watch #20 Riak Andrew

[Kiama Chris]

The context of the photo is Riak doing extra off-season training at an athletic performance gym in Melbourne

South East Speed Centre for Athletic Performance

www.southeastspeed.com.au

Love it when our guys (and girls) go the extra mile. Good on him.

 

[joeykanga]

The context of the photo is Riak doing extra off-season training at an athletic performance gym in Melbourne

South East Speed Centre for Athletic Performance

www.southeastspeed.com.au

I kind of understood that part of it I just wondered if he was setting new height marks. All good

 

[dosser]

I've set myself with low expectations so that I can only be pleasantly surprised here.

 

[Callipygian]

I spoke to Riak today. I asked him about his goals for 2026 and he said to get stronger, and to work on his offence. I asked if he would describe himself as a lockdown defender and he said he thought he was also an interceptor and maybe a 3rd tall who can play on a variety of opponents. I asked him if he had any insight about why the club extended his contract so early (had to be a bit delicate with that question) and he said he thought mostly it was because they viewed him as a pretty raw prospect and so he would need time to develop. Also he said he'd been injured early on and was in rehab with Jesse Dattoli and they both attacked their rehab with vigour and perhaps the club liked his attitude.

 

[Cadsky]

I spoke to Riak today. I asked him about his goals for 2026 and he said to get stronger, and to work on his offence. I asked if he would describe himself as a lockdown defender and he said he thought he was also an interceptor and maybe a 3rd tall who can play on a variety of opponents. I asked him if he had any insight about why the club extended his contract so early (had to be a bit delicate with that question) and he said he thought mostly it was because they viewed him as a pretty raw prospect and so he would need time to develop. Also he said he'd been injured early on and was in rehab with Jesse Dattoli and they both attacked their rehab with vigour and perhaps the club liked his attitude.

Good stuff. Thanks for the info

 

[bedford]

I spoke to Riak today. I asked him about his goals for 2026 and he said to get stronger, and to work on his offence. I asked if he would describe himself as a lockdown defender and he said he thought he was also an interceptor and maybe a 3rd tall who can play on a variety of opponents. I asked him if he had any insight about why the club extended his contract so early (had to be a bit delicate with that question) and he said he thought mostly it was because they viewed him as a pretty raw prospect and so he would need time to develop. Also he said he'd been injured early on and was in rehab with Jesse Dattoli and they both attacked their rehab with vigour and perhaps the club liked his attitude.

Just wish they would say attacking

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I spoke to Riak today. I asked him about his goals for 2026 and he said to get stronger, and to work on his offence. I asked if he would describe himself as a lockdown defender and he said he thought he was also an interceptor and maybe a 3rd tall who can play on a variety of opponents. I asked him if he had any insight about why the club extended his contract so early (had to be a bit delicate with that question) and he said he thought mostly it was because they viewed him as a pretty raw prospect and so he would need time to develop. Also he said he'd been injured early on and was in rehab with Jesse Dattoli and they both attacked their rehab with vigour and perhaps the club liked his attitude.

I remember going to the home game v Port last year and walking through the training facility. Cutting a lone figure in the gym was Riak, working hard (i presume) on his rehab. Impressive stuff.

 

[MightyBloods]

I spoke to Riak today. I asked him about his goals for 2026 and he said to get stronger, and to work on his offence. I asked if he would describe himself as a lockdown defender and he said he thought he was also an interceptor and maybe a 3rd tall who can play on a variety of opponents. I asked him if he had any insight about why the club extended his contract so early (had to be a bit delicate with that question) and he said he thought mostly it was because they viewed him as a pretty raw prospect and so he would need time to develop. Also he said he'd been injured early on and was in rehab with Jesse Dattoli and they both attacked their rehab with vigour and perhaps the club liked his attitude.

Jesse's dad is a highly regarded local footy coach. This clip Rowell speaks highly of Vin Dattoli. Jess's dad has had Jess under his wing since the 2025 season ended. If you haven't noticed, Jess' preseason form & build has noticeably grown. He's my watch for helping to take us to new heights.

 

[MightyBloods]

Sorry for posting twice & in Riak's backyard.

 

[bedford]

Sorry for posting twice & in Riak's backyard.

Bonz has been pumping him up since then , his Dad is highly rated as a coach

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Injury outlook not looking that promising, with the dreaded TBC next to his name in today's update, with a complex quad injury.

Might not get to play many games this year, again...

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Injury outlook not looking that promising, with the dreaded TBC next to his name in today's update, with a complex quad injury.

Might not get to play many games this year, again...

Jogging laps at training today, so perhaps it’s not too dire.

 

[bedford]

Jogging laps at training today, so perhaps it’s not too dire.

I saw that and thought the same

 

[joeykanga]

Injury outlook not looking that promising, with the dreaded TBC next to his name in today's update, with a complex quad injury.

Might not get to play many games this year, again...

You forgot to mention the rest of the report which is a lot more positive for him in what theyre trying to achieve for him. Hardly points to a year out.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

You forgot to mention the rest of the report which is a lot more positive for him in what theyre trying to achieve for him. Hardly points to a year out.

I never said a year out, I said he might not play many games this year, which given the fact the updates stated "he has some strength targets to achieve before his timeline to return to play can be determined" means he is potentially months away from a full recovery.

Say it ends up being by the mid year bye, that would leave 7 H&A VFL games left. Also, if I have worked this out correctly, he also still has 1, possibly 2 weeks of his 5 week VFL suspension to serve as well. I will amend if I am wrong.

EDIT: as promised, I was wrong, so have struck this out.

 

[liz]

I never said a year out, I said he might not play many games this year, which given the fact the updates stated "he has some strength targets to achieve before his timeline to return to play can be determined" means he is potentially months away from a full recovery.

Say it ends up being by the mid year bye, that would leave 7 H&A VFL games left. Also, if I have worked this out correctly, he also still has 1, possibly 2 weeks of his 5 week VFL suspension to serve as well. I will amend if I am wrong.

Any lingering suspension is surely irrelevant given the current circumstances. A player doesn’t have to wait to be fit to serve a suspension.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Say it ends up being by the mid year bye, that would leave 7 H&A VFL games left. Also, if I have worked this out correctly, he also still has 1, possibly 2 weeks of his 5 week VFL suspension to serve as well. I will amend if I am wrong.

Suspension is irrelevant he's served it after the injury.

He will be fine, possibly some games towards the back end.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Yet another setback.

It’s not looking too good for Riakka-Dacca.

He has another year on contract - but jeez, he does need to get on the park soon.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Yet another setback.

It’s not looking too good for Riakka-Dacca.

He has another year on contract - but jeez, he does need to get on the park soon.

Riak has become the TBC man