Daniel Rioli has added another valuable string to his bow as a top-class rebounding defender in Richmond’s line-up.

The triple premiership Tiger small forward is consistently hitting the scoreboard in his new role across the team’s backline.

So far this season, he has kicked goals in eight games, for an overall total of nine.

In the Round 20 clash with Brisbane at the MCG, Rioli booted a superb running goal during the last quarter that propelled Richmond into the lead after it had trailed by 42 points at one stage.

Then, in last Saturday night’s match against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval, Rioli capped off another excellent exhibition – 25 disposals, five marks, five rebound-50s, eight intercepts and 510 metres gained – with two team-lifting goals.

When you consider the most goals that he has kicked in an AFL season is 25 in 2017 (as a permanent small forward), with 17 (in 2019) his second-best return, what he’s been able to achieve this year goal-wise, as a full-time defender, is even more meritorious.

Rioli’s run and carry, combined with his capacity to kick big goals, makes him such a significant member of the Tigers’ team.