Player Watch #17 Maurice Rioli Jnr Re-Signed 2026

[richoplzbreed]

Mark my words** he has been picked to add much much needed speed and a defensive edge into some centre bounces.

That is where I see his best value for us because our midfield mix is way off currently. I actually suggested this very move Monday night.

If he is in there doing that he doesn't need to fill the kick / handball column IMO, he just needs to stop Touk Miller waltzing out of the middle with the ball in hand under no pressure.


** By mark my words I mean, I really really hope that is why he is in the side.

Even MRJ's mum pissed herself reading that if Yze's gonna cop a midfielder who's allergic to finding the pill, completely butchers even the simplest disposal under no pressure and gasps and wheezes after every single run then Yze might as well clear his desk out during the bye. Touk has a tank and is an elite gut runner. MRJ is elite thus far at breaking promises and turning up to preseason with a beergut.

This bloke might as well get a 5 year deal if we're gonna cop mids who don't touch the ball.

 

[Bojangles17]

Perhaps the coach has plans other than tackling for mrj, let’s see

 

[juss]

Surprising selection, not confident but hope he goes well. Doesn't need to have a blinder, just needs to play his role.

 

[Karp3_dm]

Even MRJ's mum pissed herself reading that if Yze's gonna cop a midfielder who's allergic to finding the pill, completely butchers even the simplest disposal under no pressure and gasps and wheezes after every single run then Yze might as well clear his desk out during the bye. Touk has a tank and is an elite gut runner. MRJ is elite thus far at breaking promises and turning up to preseason with a beergut.

This bloke might as well get a 5 year deal if we're gonna cop mids who don't touch the ball.

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Fair point… as much as I want to believe Michaels it really feels he’s in dream land

 

[Meteoric Rise]

2022 Maurice is back. And he is angry.

 

[Wrenny]

2022 Maurice is back. And he is angry.

Something to work on anyway

 

[TigerImposter]

He's not the problem

 

[tiger_tough]

He was far from our worst. Had some great moments but still needs to get more involved.

 

[fargothegreat]

Hasn't really improved. I think Mansell might be back for Thursday night, so he'll probably lose his spot.

 

[Muddiemoose]

Completely owning the fact I was wrong and couldn’t be happier

He hasn’t made it yet but he’s definitely shown that he isn’t the lost cause like I thought he was

Couldn’t be happier to be proven wrong

 

[tugga]

Don’t hate on him for that game today.
Was the only one who could hold his head high at half time.

 

[Daka]

I don't think he had a terrible game but I don't think he had a good game either, needs to kick those 20m shots on goal.

 

[AstuteTiger]

The guy gave his all, I wasnt in favour of him getting a game in RD 0 but his pressure helped the team get some goals and did what many other players didnt and that is chase and put pressure on.

Not sure if he'll make it but atm with cumbers, sonsie, clarke, coulthrad, mansell not in he got his chance but he needs to kick goals because bottom line we want players who can hit the score board.

Seth Campbell kicked 2 shouldve had 3 and thats we want from our smalls. Pressure, tackling but also kicking goals

 

[Michaels]

Even MRJ's mum pissed herself reading that if Yze's gonna cop a midfielder who's allergic to finding the pill, completely butchers even the simplest disposal under no pressure and gasps and wheezes after every single run then Yze might as well clear his desk out during the bye. Touk has a tank and is an elite gut runner. MRJ is elite thus far at breaking promises and turning up to preseason with a beergut.

This bloke might as well get a 5 year deal if we're gonna cop mids who don't touch the ball.

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Lol calm down mate

 

[Michaels]

Fair point… as much as I want to believe Michaels it really feels he’s in dream land

MRJ was one of our better pressure players today, easily.

People need to stop expecting 25 touches and 4 goals every game

 

[Muddiemoose]

MRJ was one of our better pressure players today, easily.

People need to stop expecting 25 touches and 4 goals every game

He was essential in turning the tide of the game imo

Two massive tackles one that led directly to a goal

Without those moments I don’t know if we would of picked ourselves off the canvas when we did

 

[Michaels]

He was essential in turning the tide of the game imo

Two massive tackles one that led directly to a goal

Without those moments I don’t know if we would of picked ourselves off the canvas when we did

Spot on.

He helped get our ‘mojo’ going in the 3rd.

He shuts down space quicker than others too which forces blast kicks down the line at times, which helps us!

 

[lizard man]

Did some nice things but my god man you need to kick the goal when your 20 meteres out directly in front

 

[Coach_Required]

Did enough to keep his spot, I was against his selection but there were some players far worse than Maurice today.
Couple of goals resulted from his work rate today.

 

[TigerImposter]

Did some nice things but my god man you need to kick the goal when your 20 meteres out directly in front

Fair enough , but his energy and electricity is team lifting. Unfortunately for him he’s in a side with very few players with speed and therefore he is limited of opportunities. He’s not the problem LM.

 

[Bojangles17]

He def got a pass for today , defensive work was first class and was involved in some nice passages of play that he started

 

[lizard man]

Fair enough , but his energy and electricity is team lifting. Unfortunately for him he’s in a side with very few players with speed and therefore he is limited of opportunities. He’s not the problem LM.

I agree he wasn’t the problem today … our centre stoppages were absolutely awful …. Dow, Prestia and Taranto have a lot to answer for today

 

[Meteoric Rise]

The guy gave his all, I wasnt in favour of him getting a game in RD 0 but his pressure helped the team get some goals and did what many other players didnt and that is chase and put pressure on.

Not sure if he'll make it but atm with cumbers, sonsie, clarke, coulthrad, mansell not in he got his chance but he needs to kick goals because bottom line we want players who can hit the score board.

Seth Campbell kicked 2 shouldve had 3 and thats we want from our smalls. Pressure, tackling but also kicking goals

It doesn't matter who kicks our goals, though I agree his miss was a bad one. But 2 goal assists and one tackle that was quite likely a 2 goal swing(one they were going to get v the one that resulted for us.)

Not sure how well Maurice ran the game out but he busted a gut in that first half with absolute top quality chasing and pressure, there is nobody in the competition better at it that him. When he is on, opposition players in possession consistently misjudge the speed of his approach.

We absolutely have to keep playing him while he is producing that, it is a huge point of difference in our favour. He creates the best type of turnovers you can get, forward half and totally unexpected by the opposition.

 

[TigerImposter]

It doesn't matter who kicks our goals, though I agree his miss was a bad one. But 2 goal assists and one tackle that was quite likely a 2 goal swing(one they were going to get v the one that resulted for us.)

Not sure how well Maurice ran the game out but he busted a gut in that first half with absolute top quality chasing and pressure, there is nobody in the competition better at it that him. When he is on, opposition players in possession consistently misjudge the speed of his approach.

We absolutely have to keep playing him while he is producing that, it is a huge point of difference in our favour. He creates the best type of turnovers you can get, forward half and totally unexpected by the opposition.

Had three score involvements considering the lack of opportunities in the first half.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Had three score involvements considering the lack of opportunities in the first half.

Three score involvements is modest at best, but if they list net score involvements, score involvements + likely score thwarts(opposition) he has had a very tidy ledger. His score involvements tend to be quality too as they are normally coming from high tariff actions, rather than just being a link in the chain. He could tidy some things up young Maurice but he is 21 years 6 months old and he could be a quite special and unique player if he can continue to add to his tank and his improve his skills. I think today is hugely encouraging for Maurice. See how our midfield shakes out after two rounds when things get back a bit closer to normal, if they can get competitive some of these young players like Maurice, Campbell, Banks etc can really show us what they have got.