Vale Maurice Rioli

[pablo668]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8564538/football-legend-maurice-rioli-dies/

Just heard. Can't believe it. Magnificent player for both South Freo and Richmond.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Maurice Rioli and Stephen Michael playing for the Mighty Bulldogs were the reason I started watching footy back in the late 70s. I can't believe it... so, so sad. Absolute legend player - they didn't call him Magic Maurice for nothing.

Loved him enormously. Vale Maurice Rioli - a true champion of the game.

 

[Tundrawolf]

I too can't believe it.

Very sad day for the Rioli family and all fans and lovers of football.
A true legend and gentleman of the game, particularly at South Fremantle and Richmond. Will be missed by all.

What a wonderful understanding he had with Stephen Michael.

 

[Monocle]

As a Claremont supporter I saw his exquisit talent on display often...just stood in awe ..... so very special.

That said I am very sad to hear of his passing.

Two comments :

1. Reminds me of how precious life is .....

2. It also highlights the alarming discrepancy in life expectance between black and white in this country.

That aside I post here to remember and acknowledge a CHAMPION of the game.

RIP... Mister Magic.

 

[Spearhead]

Sad to hear of the passing of Maurice Rioli ..one of the greatest players in the greatest era of WAFL footy. True champion with the most sublime skills.

 

[pablo668]

Yeah I was just thinking about how good he was and the the players that were playing in the WAFL at that time.

People like Graham Moss, Stephen Michael, Barry Cable, The Krakouer bros, Ross Glendenning, the Narkle Bros, Brian Peake, Tony Buhagiar, Peter Bosustow.......dammit the list could go on and on.

Truly a great time to be watching footy. I think that the 1979 WAFL grand final was (arguably) the peak of the WAFL competition. There was as much football talent on the field that day as could be found anywhere else in the country.

And through all that Maurice Rioli still stood out as a great player.

 

[swannies]

I was reeling when I read this on here last night.

Condolences to the family, will be a massively missed.

swannies

 

[gytre]

I echo the sentiments of everyone else here. When I first started watching footy in the late 70s, Rioli was one of the best in the WAFL. He had amazing skills and footy instincts as well as a great work ethic and obviously great leadership abilities. I was really happy when he returned to the WAFL after his fantastic AFL career. Also, I can't ever remember any off-field scandals involving him either. I'd say Rioli was an ornament to the game.