Memo Tiger fans...mark down Maurice Rioli’s name in your Yellow and Black book as a player to closely watch over the next few weeks.

The lively, 22-year-old small forward has shown some exciting signs in Richmond’s past couple of games.

He burst out of the blocks in the Gather Round clash with Fremantle at Barossa Park, booting two team-lifting goals in the opening few minutes, and setting up another one for a teammate, before fading out of the contest.

Then, last Saturday night against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, Rioli took another positive step, finishing the match with 10 disposals, eight contested possessions, one goal, four inside-50s, six intercepts, seven tackles and 195 metres gained.

It was the type of performance reminiscent of Rioli’s best AFL season in 2022, when he played 15 games and kicked 14 goals.

Since then, Rioli has struggled for consistency due to a lack of continuity because of injury issues. But he’s now looking dangerous again, which is great news for the Richmond faithful. 

Two-time premiership Tiger Jayden Short told Channel Nine’s Sunday Footy Show that Rioli has huge upside in his AFL career at Punt Road.

“You’ve only got to watch the game to realise his ceiling. Just his energy, his effort. Every contest he’s in, he gives 100 percent,” Short said.

“I don’t like getting the ball at training because he’s always going to run me down. Playing alongside him is amazing.

“Hopefully his body holds up and he can be a consistent performer for us.”