4 rounds to go and he's been our in form player for the last month & half.
Rischitelli hoping to re-sign with Lions
Article from:
Andrew Hamilton
August 15, 2008 12:00am
THE shining light from Brisbane's poor past month has been the form of Michael Rischitelli and the midfielder has revealed he wants to remain a Lion.
Rischitelli's ability around the stoppages will be a key factor against the Bulldogs at the Gabba tomorrow night and the club now feels it has found a long-term replacement for in-and-under specialist Simon Black.
Rischitelli was the subject of a massive play from Essendon when he last came out of contract in 2006 but saw a bright future in Brisbane and chose to re-commit.
After taking his game to a new level this year, there are Melbourne-based clubs circling again but Rischitelli says he wants to remain a Lion and is confident a new deal will be struck soon.
"Yeah, I want to be, the Lions have been great to me," he said.
"We are in the process of it now (negotiations), there's promising signs."
Brisbane has battled in the midfield in the second half of the season, but Rischitelli has been a revelation.
Finally the club has found someone who can consistently cash in on the fact veteran co-captains Black and Luke Power wear heavy tags each time they go on to the field.
Rischitelli has polled well in the Lions' best and fairest, the Merrett-Murray medal, over the past month.
Last week against Hawthorn he was exceptional around the stoppages where he produced 10 clearances, a number that puts him among the very best clearance players in the competition.
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Spoils go to Rischitelli
1:12 PM Tue 19 August, 2008
MICHAEL Rischitelli is a round 20 nominee for the AFL Army Award after the Lions win over the Bulldogs on the weekend.
Rischitelli showed magificent courage to spoil and create a contest fot his team.
Lions fans can view Varcoe’s play and vote for him at http://www.afl.com.au/armydefence.
Brown impasse has domino effect
JAKE NIALL
26/08/2008 12:00:27 AM
BRISBANE'S contract negotiations with promising young midfielder Michael Rischitelli have been delayed by the impasse between the Lions and their uncontracted champion Jonathan Brown.
While Brown is expected to announce his future plans shortly, Rischitelli is among the out-of-contract Lions whose contractual situation is said to hinge on what happens with Brown.
Rischitelli's manager, Rick Olarenshaw, confirmed last night that Melbourne clubs had made inquiries about his client, but that his preference was to stick with the Lions, given "a fair and reasonable contract".
"We're had inquiries into Rischitelli, I'll say that, from Melbourne-based clubs to see what he's going to do now that his contract expires. We've had inquiries and that's it, and that's just clubs doing their due diligence.
"I've started talking figures with Brisbane, but we really can't really lock anything away, I don't think, until Brown's done.
"His priority is to stay at Brisbane on a fair and reasonable contract."
As a young player originally from Keilor, Rischitelli has attracted interest from Essendon, which made a play for him two years ago when he was last out of contract. But Carlton, Collingwood and Hawthorn would be the other potential suitors if he decides to seek a trade back to Melbourne.
Rischitelli's contractual situation has attracted much less attention than several others due to his lower profile — despite his continued good performances. While, at 22, and with a solid apprenticeship behind him, he fits the profile of several clubs, his scenario has been overshadowed by Brown's impasse and the uncertainty surrounding West Coast's Daniel Kerr, whose situation, like Brown's, will be resolved at the end of the season.
2008 Merrett-Murray Medal top ten:
1. Jonathan Brown - 53.5
2. Simon Black - 51
3. Luke Power - 46.5
4. Daniel Bradshaw - 43.5
5. Jared Brennan - 42
6. Michael Rischitelli - 41
7. Joel Patfull - 39.5
8. Joel Macdonald - 38.5
9. Travis Johnstone - 31.5
10. Jed Adcock - 29.
Most effective tackler
Michael Rischitelli
Most courageous player
Michael Rischitelli
Brown tipped Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli as two Lions headed for big seasons based on their pre-season training.
"They had pretty big second halves of the year in games when we struggled and I'd expect them to have really exciting and consistent years," he said.
