Past Michael Rischitelli (2004-2010)

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

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WHEN Michael Rischitelli turned down the chance to join Essendon at the end of last season, the Brisbane Lion was commended for doing the difficult thing. In fact, he says, he took the easy option.
"A lot of it was about Brisbane, about the club," he said. "I did think a lot about going, but Brisbane was the one who drafted me and gave me the chance to play, so that was always in my head.
"I also thought it would be hard to go somewhere new. It would have been close to home, but it would still have meant starting everything all over again.
"It took me a while to get to know everyone and to fit in up here. To go into another group and get to know a whole new group of people would have set me back a bit."
When he was drafted to Brisbane three years ago, as a most surprised 17-year-old who slept through the draft, Rischitelli's parents were in the middle of building a big, new, two-storey house in Taylors Lakes. So when he goes home now, he gets the guest room.
"I always go for the biggest room. But it's still a spare room, so it still feels weird," said the young Lion this week. "I go home, but to a place I've never lived."
Rischitelli's chance to spend more time there came at the end of last season, when Essendon asked the emerging onballer whether he'd like to continue his breakthrough wearing their colours.
Other clubs asked the same question, but the Bombers were different: they were around the corner from both his homes, they'd finished second-last on the ladder and had pre-season draft power, and they were the team he'd grown up barracking for.
Rischitelli still doesn't feel completely settled, but that's mostly in a football sense. Away from the game, he has a house and a backyard, which is being torn to bits by his two-month-old German shepherd puppy. "Life is better when you have a dog," he said.
He has a housemate, too, and the freshly drafted James Hawksley has reminded him that football clubs don't let you stay a kid for long. "The time moves quickly. You don't get to stay the young, homesick kid forever," he said.
"There's always a new group of young players, and you become the one with more experience. They start to ask how you handled being away from home, and then you start to realise that you have actually handled it."
He has been nudged towards on-field revelations, too. Rischitelli was so certain he would not be chosen as a 17-year-old that in 2003 that he slept through the draft, after a late night at his year 12 formal.
He had the last remnants of osteitis pubis when he moved away, then overcome a lengthy quad injury and a few more small hassles before making his Lions debut. Then he had to realise he should and could play more.
Michael Voss watched him figure it all out. "He's a pretty quiet kid, a reserved kid, and he's probably someone who needs to feel like he belongs to a group. It took him a while to do that," said the former Lions captain.
"He's someone who needs that bit of reassurance and to feel like he's wanted and needed …
"A good turning point for him was probably earlier this year when Leigh put that little bit of faith in him. Leigh said: 'We're sticking with you, we're going to play you and we're going to see it through,' and that's been a really good thing.
"It probably made him stop wondering about what people were thinking and have that bit more belief."
If not complete faith. Rischitelli was happy with the first part of his season but, like his side, has been less content with the past month. His plan is to concentrate on his second efforts, his third efforts and making it to more contests. "If you do that, everything else should happen around it," he said.
Voss agrees. "The thing I love about Rischa is not what he can do offensively, but that he has a real balance in his game," he said.
"Guys like that can get themselves out of flat patches because they're still giving … You can choose to give nothing on bad days or you can choose to contribute what you can. He does that, and he's going to be a very good player for it."

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Great to see him in form again.

 

[konstas_87]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

best game for months from Rischa, managed to find some of the footy again

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Link

Keeping an eye on things

9:52 AM Thu 23 August, 2007
By Simon White,
for lions.com.au

BRISBANE Lions fans who get plenty of value from at-ground replay screens can rest assured that their heroes do as well.
Modern-day players are often seen on television broadcasts using the big screens to make sure they look the part or to fruitlessly argue a point of contention with a controlling umpire.
But, as midfielder Michael Rischitelli explained to lions.com.au, they are equally handy when it comes to keeping track of the scores in tight game – such as last weekend’s nail-biting draw with Sydney at the Gabba.
“Obviously you can’t be looking up at them all the time, but you definitely check when there is a stoppage – like when a goal has been kicked,” Rischitelli said.
“Most of the time you try to have a pretty good idea of what the score is, especially when it’s a tight game.
“If the opposition comes out and kicks a few goals in a row, you need to know whether you have to come back with a goal of your own right away.”
The Lions, of course, found themselves in the position of “chasers” against the Swans and managed to get level with their visitors with only seconds remaining, thanks to Jonathan Brown’s unerring roost from 55m.
Rischitelli said players also generally had a concept of the amount of time left in a game – something which added to the tension when it became clear Brown was going to have a set shot after marking on lead.
“I was thinking to myself ‘he’d better kick this’,” Rischitelli laughed.
“He was a fair way out but it was a pretty good set of hands for the ball to be in.
“If you’ve just come off the bench you might know more about how much time is left, but mostly you just wait until it gets to the 25-minute mark and then say ‘we’ve got five minutes from now’.
“I actually thought on Saturday night that we might have still have had a couple of minutes to go. So it was pretty good that Browny had a shot.”
The Lions will continue their run towards a potential finals berth on Saturday at AAMI Stadium, where they will do battle with the Crows.
Adelaide sits 10th and trails the ninth-placed Lions on percentage.
For Rischitelli, who is now in his fourth season at the Gabba, having something tangible to play for in the final two games of the season is an exciting feeling.
Having looked out of the finals reckoning after failing to register a win between rounds seven and 13, the Lions then strung together five victories on the trot to put themselves firmly back in the frame.
“All we can do is focus on each week as it comes – we’d have to win both our games so we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” he said.
“But the last six or seven weeks have been great and everyone is feeling pretty bubbly and energetic.
“The seven weeks or so we went without a win before that weren’t a lot of fun and I know I definitely got sick of losing.
“To be able to sing the club song five weeks in a row was terrific and the vibe around the club is just great.”
​

 

[Raav]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Really like the look of Riska.
With a little bit more meat on his bones he'll really do some damage.
Big year coming up in 08.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

End of Season Player Review

Rischitelli’s year began with a bang, showing some terrific form during the NAB Cup and prompting Leigh to state he would one day be an All Australian. He continued this form into the first two rounds of the season, but unfortunately he was not able to sustain it throughout the year.

Although he played all 22 games, there were times in the middle of the year when he would have been close to being dropped. He managed 20 disposals or more on only 4 occasions throughout the year, and only twice after round 2. But while he wasn’t a big possession getter his defensive game was solid, finishing the year as our second highest tackler behind Adcock.

No doubt Riska is a very talented player (as evidenced by the interest shown in him over the off season) but he just can’t seem to put it all together yet. At times he seems to hesitate and almost over think the situation instead of just letting it come naturally.

He will benefit from having played the whole season, and it is obvious that the Lions see him as a big part of their future. Hopefully he will be able to step it up a cog or two next year.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Link

"We’ve been very lucky in the past in being able to put new guys up with blokes like Black, Power and Brown and now we’re doing it with the younger leaders like Michael Rischitelli and Jed Adcock," Lambert said.

It's amazing how fast some of these guys 'grow up'. I still see Rischitelli as a shy young kid, but he's already looking after the younger blokes.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

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Strong finish to 2007 buoys Rischitelli
12:55 PM Thu 20 December, 2007
By Simon White
for lions.com.au

FOR YOUNG midfielder Michael Rischitelli, improvement in 2008 will be as much about the mental side of his game as the physical.

In 2007, Rischitelli, as much as any player, experienced a personal season that mirrored that of the Lions as a team.

Excellent early as the Lions went 4-2 after six rounds, the 21-year-old hit a flat spot during a seven-week mid-season spell that saw the Lions fail to record a win. He then finished strongly as a dramatic form turnaround put Leigh Matthews' side back in the finals race.

"For me, improving my endurance is a big thing because you can always be fitter," Rischitelli said.

"If you can add that extra one percent to your fitness it means you can run out games better, from the start of the year through to the finish.

"I had a bit of a flat spot last year and some of that was about fitness but it was also a fair bit do with confidence.

"You try to come up with answers about where things aren't going right but the main thing is that you can't afford to sit back, wait and hope the game will come to you."

Fortunately for Rischitelli, he is well-placed to achieve his aim of contributing to the Lions' cause even when the ball isn't necessarily bouncing his way.

His total of 60 hard ball gets in 2007 was bettered only by renowned in-and-under merchant Simon Black, while 99 tackles put him narrowly behind Jed Adcock in the tackle count.

"From last year I've learnt that things don't always go right for you – and that's when you've got to find other ways to help the team," Rischitelli said.

"You might not get 20-plus possessions, but if you only pick up 15 or 16 you can make up for it with those other things.

"They might not show up as much on the stats sheet as 30 possessions, but they are still just as valuable to the team."

Rischitelli saw plenty of on-field success in his early days at the Gabba, making his debut in a club-record 141-point win over Adelaide in Round 17 of 2004.

Later that year, he watched on as his teammates played in a fourth straight grand final.

The club has not played in a final since but Richitelli says five wins and a draw in the last nine games of 2007 is an indication of the Lions' ability to compete with top-tier teams.

During that run, the Lions beat reigning premier West Coast, accounted for eventual preliminary finalists Collingwood and North Melbourne and drew with a Sydney side that had played in the previous two grand finals.

"You get sick and tired of finishing your season early and having eight weeks off because you aren't playing finals," Rischitelli said.

"I'd much rather play right through to the grand final and then only have the four or five weeks break.

"The five games we won in a row showed that we can beat anybody when we are playing well enough; we've just got to find a way to play like that for three-quarters of a season.

"That's why we'll be working on our skills so much over the summer, because there were times last year when they were pretty poor."

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Link

Rischitelli, 22, also made a good impression with his hardness and commitment in the midfield last year when he played every match. But his start to 2008 has been hampered by injury and he remains under a cloud for Friday night's clash against the Cats, who were eliminated from the NAB Cup by St Kilda last weekend.

 

[Pedro the Lion]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

I'm hoping for big things from Mr Rischitelli this year. Time to bump him to the top of the Roster Watch thread in the hope that he doesn't languish this low again all season. I get the feeling that how he plays this year will somehow be a reflection of our success in 08.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

I was a little disappointed with Riska's 2007 season, and 2008 is off to a bad start with an 8 possession game first up. With Adcock going down early he really needed to step up. The Lions are talking up their chances this year and they can't afford to have passengers. Do we persevere with him or should we give someone else a go?

 

[Dylan12]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

I was a little disappointed with Riska's 2007 season, and 2008 is off to a bad start with an 8 possession game first up. With Adcock going down early he really needed to step up. The Lions are talking up their chances this year and they can't afford to have passengers. Do we persevere with him or should we give someone else a go?

Grim - Is it fitness or form? From what i saw at the ground, and he wasn't alone, the hunger and desperation were not there. I felt many Lions lacked any urgency and if it is only fitness and Jed does not pull up for the Pies, I think he deserves another go. He has a mature body and hopefully after watching his own performance on DVD he surely would not serve up another average performance.

 

[xplo]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

On the surface, I didn't think he had an automatic claim to a starting spot after a luke warm finish to 2007, an interupted preseason and one average community cup game. Alby and Shermo both seemed to have stronger claims. Didn't see anything to change my mind last night.

 

[chopperduck]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

On the surface, I didn't think he had an automatic claim to a starting spot after a luke warm finish to 2007, an interupted preseason and one average community cup game. Alby and Shermo both seemed to have stronger claims. Didn't see anything to change my mind last night.

even tho i like risky, i cant disagree with this. black was outstanding, but we really need someone else to help get the ball. think proud can definitely help out black here, give him spurts on the ball as someone else has suggested on these forums.

sherman sounds like he had a good reserve grade game, and you cant deny his 2006 form, you cant fluke a whole season. he has the run and dash we need, and is also a finisher, if the ball is contested around the forward line he is capable of kickin a goal.

think both should get a shot if adcock and bushy dont come up. proud can play forward with sherman in the middle. risky could be given another shot, but if either adcock or bushy make the game, would heavily consider giving up his spot.

cant play midfield, and i think he was playing as an on baller, and get 9 possessions. he can do much much better

 

[T Rick]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

he needs to be given chances in the midfield because lets face it he isn't a small defender and we don't want him to be a small defender

 

[chopperduck]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

he needs to be given chances in the midfield because lets face it he isn't a small defender and we don't want him to be a small defender

well said fairley

 

[xplo]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

he needs to be given chances in the midfield because lets face it he isn't a small defender and we don't want him to be a small defender

I don't accept that.

Last year Adcock was our best small defender till he was moved into the middle. Who has taken Adcock's role of bolting down dangerous small forwards, marshaling the defence and attacking when able?

Both Selwood and Sherman have been tried there in recent times without meaningful success. Rischa is one of our best tacklers (av. almost 5 per game last year), plays tight, wins more frees than he gives away, has more burst power and better foot skills than Bunno.

Which part of that makes him unsuitable as a small defender?

 

[chopperduck]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

I don't accept that.

Last year Adcock was our best small defender till he was moved into the middle. Who has taken Adcock's role of bolting down dangerous small forwards, marshaling the defence and attacking when able?

Both Selwood and Sherman have been tried there in recent times without meaningful success. Rischa is one of our best tacklers (av. almost 5 per game last year), plays tight, wins more frees than he gives away, has more burst power and better foot skills than Bunno.

Which part of that makes him unsuitable as a small defender?

all those attributes are fine for a small defender, and he does possess these, but he just doesn't seem to have the head for a defensive player. i would not like to seem him in the back line. he does his best work in the middle, and gets those tackles in the packs fighting for the ball.

adcock is just a freak, and basically became too good and too valuable to to stuck in the back half. playing middle he should double the goals he kicked last year easy, and he ain't a bad shot. pitty we haven't really seen him play that role yet this year.

 

[xplo]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

all those attributes are fine for a small defender, and he does possess these, but he just doesn't seem to have the head for a defensive player.

It's easy enough to say that, but what are you basing it on? Stats? Historical data? Anecdotal evidence? A stated dislike of the backline?

There doesn't seem much dispute that his raw attributes set him up nicely as a potential backman, but no-one can seem to nail a reason why his 'head' isn't right for the role. Not sure what I've missed there.

Both Aker and CJ were completed as players (and much more obvious 'headcases') by learning to their apply their attacking qualities at precisely the right times out of a back pocket -- Aka for a year or so, CJ for most of the rest of his career. Both had struggled for consistency and decision-making till then, but thrived within the structure ther back 6 imposed on them.

Rischas debut game in 2004 was playing as a blanket flanker on Mark Ricciuto, then at the height of his powers (reigning Brownlow medallist at that time), nailing a couple of perfect tackles and two goals along the way. Technically it was in the front half, but his role was an entirely defensive, focussed on shutting down one of the Crows most important cogs -- not unlike Adcock's first half season last year.

In the recent past, I don't think we had enough numbers in the middle to release him to the back, but with TJ, Brennan and possibly Proud and/or Sherman adding, to Black, Power, Lappin, Notting, Hooper, Selwood and Corrie, that issue is evaporating.

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

After reading the last few posts I have warmed to the idea of trialling Riska as a small defender. He's got some dash and a nice big kick so he could really help us with our rebound out of defence. We know he can play tight, but he's got a good engine and should be able to work his opponent the other way. We haven't seen much of him in aerial contests, and not being overly strong he may be vulnerable in a one on one situation, but I think it's worth a try.

Leigh generally likes to mix things up and try his players in different roles, but he has persisted with Riska as a defensive inside mid for a while now, without him setting the world on fire. Maybe it's time to see what else he can do.

 

[Percy]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

I'm hoping for big things from Mr Rischitelli this year. Time to bump him to the top of the Roster Watch thread in the hope that he doesn't languish this low again all season. I get the feeling that how he plays this year will somehow be a reflection of our success in 08.

This kid is a gun, saw him kick 9 once in a local match and he was on fire...plenty on raw talent! Just needs to apply himself consistently!

 

[xplo]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

We haven't seen much of him in aerial contests, and not being overly strong he may be vulnerable in a one on one situation, but I think it's worth a try.

Don't think he's great overhead, but wouldn't give anything away to Bunno in that regard. As good as Adcock is, his aerial work isn't a linchpin of his game either.

Generally, particularly when Roe is there, our aerial coverage is very good -- Strawb, Roe, Patful, Drummo and JMac all play pretty tall to the incoming ball.

 

[LionKing]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Totally agree with Xplo. Rischa's bone jarring tackles against the Crows in his debut game were just brutal

At the time, I also thought his defensive/shut down game was great for a new kid on the block and maybe he would be best suited down back. But Lethal earmarked him to rotate through the midfield, which worked for a while but watching him run around last season and this week, he seems to have lost his passion at the moment.

I recall Merrett struggling up forward for a couple of seasons and being a little disenchanted before finding his calling in defence. Maybe Rischa needs a position he can call his own? Having said all that I love Rischa !

One last question . . . has Rischa got a big enough engine to be a tagger?

 

[Grimreepah]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Funnily enough the Lions had a similar thought process to us on this board and decided to try him down back. He did a few nice things, but generally whoever he played on started to look dangerous. I would stick with the experiment for at least another week though.

 

[BigCat2]

Re: Michael Rischitelli

Funnily enough the Lions had a similar thought process to us on this board and decided to try him down back. He did a few nice things, but generally whoever he played on started to look dangerous. I would stick with the experiment for at least another week though.

It's like having crap bowlers to play opposition batsmen back into form.

Nah he showed a few nice things as well. All-round he's pretty good, and I understand that you don't need to be absolutely exceptional in one area to be valuable to the team, but we should be getting more out of Riska?