A week after producing arguably the best performance throughout his time at Tigerland, Daniel Rioli backed it up with several key AFL career-high statistics against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium yesterday.

Rioli, who received 10 coaches’ votes for his dynamic display in Richmond’s Round 16 victory over West Coast, again was excellent in the team’s narrow loss to the Suns.

For the first time in a match during his AFL career, Rioli had 30 disposals. He finished with a game-high 31 disposals, an equal career-high 12 contested possessions, an equal career-high 24 effective disposals, equal career-high six rebound-50s, three inside-50s, five marks, career-high nine intercepts, seven score involvements, five marks, four tackles and 471 metres gained.

It was a performance further highlighted the success of Rioli’s move late last season from the forward line to the backline.

He has developed into one of the competition’s best small defenders and surely must be in contention for an All-Australian blazer this year.