Past Michael Rischitelli (2004-2010)

[Grimreepah]

Link

An emotional Rischitelli paid tribute his team-mates in his acceptance speech and has no hard feelings towards the Lions.
"I didn't think it was going to be this hard," he said.
"There'll always be a spot in my heart for the club and I want to wish the boys the best of luck in 2011."
"It's (Gold Coast decision) obviously been playing on my mind a little bit. The main reason I came out to announce it a few days ago was because of how the guys supported me through my footy. The announcement was for you guys. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

 

[Grimreepah]

Link

Rischitelli was given a standing ovation as he made his way to the stage, testament that he leaves the club on the best of terms and with a heavy heart.
As he ran through a thank you list of coaches, support staff and players who had assisted him over the years, Rischitelli broke down as he realised he was leaving a club he had called home for seven seasons. After regaining his composure, and wiping tears from his eyes, Rischitelli said: "I didn't think it was going to be this hard." He thanked former Lions recruiting officer Kinnear Beatson for putting his faith in his talents and skipper Jonathan Brown, who was third behind Rischitelli and Simon Black in the medal count, for his leadership.

 

[Grimreepah]

If you mess with loyal players, they'll be gone

• Mike Sheahan
• From: Herald Sun
• September 10, 2010 11:48PM

So incensed was he by the Brisbane Lions' decision to offer him to Carlton in early negotiations on the Brendan Fevola trade, he decided he would be off as soon as he completed his contractual commitments this year.

In an extraordinary set of circumstances, Gold Coast recruiting manager Scott Clayton just happened to cross Rischitelli's path in Melbourne in October last year as Rischitelli pondered his plight immediately after completing a medical examination ordered by Carlton.

 

[Grimreepah]

Sad to see strong Lions leaving pride

• Andrew Hamilton
• From: The Courier-Mail
• September 11, 2010 12:00AM

What makes his departure so bitter for Lions fans is he didn't burst from the clouds this season and his efforts weren't fuelled by a maniacal quest to prove Voss wrong.He played the type of footy he has produced since he debuted, he just did it consistently, week in and week out.
Each year he gets better, the best football of his career will be in a Suns jumper.
At 24 he is capable of becoming the footballer Matthews predicted he would be.

 

[Jorgo]

If you mess with loyal players, they'll be gone

• Mike Sheahan
• From: Herald Sun
• September 10, 2010 11:48PM

So incensed was he by the Brisbane Lions' decision to offer him to Carlton in early negotiations on the Brendan Fevola trade, he decided he would be off as soon as he completed his contractual commitments this year.

In an extraordinary set of circumstances, Gold Coast recruiting manager Scott Clayton just happened to cross Rischitelli's path in Melbourne in October last year as Rischitelli pondered his plight immediately after completing a medical examination ordered by Carlton.

It was the so-called window of opportunity for Gold Coast to secure players for 2011 and beyond, and Clayton swooped.

Rischitelli quickly rejected Carlton's offer, returning to Brisbane to honour his contract, knowing he would be one of up to 8-9 players Clayton ultimately would take to Gold Coast from other AFL clubs.

It might be my newfound paranoia when reading media articles but where is the evidence in this article to back up these grandiose statements? Where is a quote from a named source saying this is what happened? Where is the dates, times and locations of this alleged meeting? Where is the statement from Rischa that he was down in the dumps and then Clayton came along which is why he said no to Carlton?

I remember doing newspaper article writing during my school years. You had to have the 5 Ws, (Who, What, When, Why, Where... and How) and some quotes and evidence to back it up.

This is all just hearsay written as fact. There are no "maybes", or "it is believed" in this article whatsoever. It is written as plain fact. So I ask Mike Sheahan where is the proof? This is NOT an opinion piece by the wording, so he can't hide behind that either.

 

[chopperduck]

Is an article in the paper today that just made me furious it was so badly written and had no facts to back it up. Was done by Brian Burke IIRC. Not only damning the club for losing Riska, but manages to blame Fev for it, as well as saying whoever signed Fev on should be sacked, and the club is treating club icons Black and Power badly by not having them signed already, and again, that's Fev fault for taking the cap space.

 

[Balony_pony16]

With all the Talent the GC are going to get with Ablett likely to leave the cats and Swallow, plus a heap of great yound talent...I wonder how risky will go in a few seasons when he starts to become the 4th & 5th midfielder? It could be a very risky move in the long term for him?

 

[western royboy]

With all the Talent the GC are going to get with Ablett likely to leave the cats and Swallow, plus a heap of great yound talent...I wonder how risky will go in a few seasons when he starts to become the 4th & 5th midfielder? It could be a very risky move in the long term for him?

Won't worry him given the cashola he's on.

 

[Grimreepah]

2009 Review

2010 End of Season Review

Games - 22
Best and Fairest - 37.5 votes (1st)
Dreamteam - 2069 points; $414,000 (+$104,400)
Supercoach - 2047 points; $498,800 (+$109,100)
Lions nominee for AFLPA's best player award
Lions nominee for AFLPA's most courageous player award

Consistent

In 2010 Rischitelli went from a so-so player to a very good one. He has always been very good defensively, but this year he was providing a lot more attack, averaging 24 disposals, 7 more than his previous best year. The feature of his game was consistency, picking up 18 or more disposals in every game bar 2. The statistics demonstrate how prominent Rischitelli was for the Lions this season. He led the club in kicks (278), handballs (252), marks (126) and clearances (95). He led the club in both contested possessions (168) and uncontested possessions (361). He scored 15% more dreamteam points than any other player and he was 3rd in tackles (97). The one weakness in his game is his disposal. While probably better than previous years, it was still not damaging enough for him to move into that elite category. This was evidenced by him missing out on the 40 man All Australian squad.

In round 11 he reached the 100 game milestone, becoming the first player in Brisbane and Fitzroy’s combined history to do so in the number 35 jersey. His magnificent season was rewarded at the end of the year, becoming the 8th player to win the Merrett-Murray medal since the merger. Immediately after the 2009 trade week, speculation was rife about whether he would switch to the Gold Coast at the end of 2010. The speculation proved correct, as he became the 3rd listed player (behind Nathan Bock and Nathan Krakouer) to transfer to the Suns. The Lions received an “End of Round 1” draft pick as compensation. Rischitelli leaves having played 111 games in 7 seasons.

 

[Lioness32]

Hmm... he is a traitor to me now. So disappointed. D: I liked Rishca

 

[Grimreepah]

Back to front

WHEN Gold Coast midfielder Michael Rischitelli won a centre clearance in the second quarter last weekend against the Western Bulldogs, took a few quick steps and booted the ball the wrong way to hand the Bulldogs an easy goal, Channel 10 commentator Michael Christian described it as a "shocking mistake".




 

[Grimreepah]

Gold Coast Suns' warm glow is fading fast

• Jon Ralph, Mark Stevens
• From: Herald Sun
• June 13, 2012 12:00AM

Are the uncontracted players mostly duds?

Rischitelli, top three in the best-and-fairest last year, has been almost invisible.

A shadow of the player that left the Brisbane Lions as the best-and fairest winner.

 

[Zhesty]

Unlike Brennan I'm still a big fan of his and really hope he can find some form.

 

[Grimreepah]

I often wonder how much the failed trade with Carlton had an effect on his performance in 2010. Is it just a coincidence that was his best year by far? He was fairly mediocre before, and although his first year at the Suns was still respectable, he has been declining since.

 

[POBT]

I don't think there was much difference between his 2010 and 2011 form. This year, he's been very ordinary.

 

[Happy_Neale]

I think we noticed him more last year with so many injuries in the midfield, but I don't think he neccassarily improved THAT much.

 

[Ceebee]

Cynical I know, but he has only played one good season and that was so Gold Coast would pay him more money.
Cant believe Hackhammo had the cheek to rate him up with Nige.

Not fit to tie his bootlaces.just a very average footballer.lucky to be on the money he is.

 

[PaddleFoot]

Appears to have lost his way - in the vacuum created in the wake of Ablett. Just give it to Gary.

 

[Haso]

 

[PTizzle]

He was injured pretty badly for a lot of the year, iirc. They played him anyways on one leg for a few games. But he was definitely ordinary regardless of other factors. Hope he can get fit and find some form next year.

Congrats to him for getting married too.

 

[MacMum]

bump..

A terrific photo gallery of Michael's long career on the Gold Coast Bulletin site. Quite a few as a Lion.

I remember seeing Michael at Crown Casino in his first year with us.....he was so shy and kept away to himself.

Made a great career for himself.

Enjoy your retirement Michael, you served both teams well.

 

[Back2Back2Back]

Gold Coast would do well to keep him around the club in a mentoring role. He's done really well over the years, and showed he has true loyalty to the club he plays for. Shame we couldn't extend that courtesy to him, he would've been a one club player for sure.